Ranma New Half Part 9 (Patreon)

Ranma woke up with the rising of the sun, it was a force of habit but one that always especially manifested when she was nervous. 'Great start to the day, being all clogged up in my chest,' She slapped her cheek and gazed around the room. 

Uchan was still in deep sleep but he was breathing better, Ranma thought with a sigh of relief. She could vaguely hear Kasumi moving about, but Nabiki was clearly still asleep. 

Akane was still sleeping soundly, her books on Chi Control strewn about around her. Xian Pu on the other hand was all about Akane, having rolling off her mat and into Akane's at some point. 

Ryoga meanwhile had the tightest sleeping bag Ranma had ever seen and the fanged fighter had wedged it carefully into a shelf and seat, presumably to keep from rolling off in the night. 

Forcing herself up, Ranma stretched until her abs ached and cracked her back, before slipping off around her... Friends, and out the door. Consciously she knew she must have woken them, fighters at most of their levels wouldn't sleep through that but it seemed the understood she needed sometime to meditate. 

Leaping from the house, Ranma began her morning stretches, drinking in the scent of the dew and the low whistling of birds. As she stretched she was quietly elated by how nimble and at ease her body felt, even as her Chi scrunched up and coiled in on itself. 

'Tofu-Sensei did say he'd get me back into perfect fighting form last night, hah, probably the only reason I had any deep sleep.' 

Leaping into the air, Ranma landed up the greater rock that loomed over the Tendo's Koi pond and buried one fist into her palm. 

She breathed in and out, slowly but surely, forcefully relaxing her Chi and pulling it from her core and out across her body. Beneath her the Koi Pond began to ripple and Ranma knew she wouldn't be ready to face the day until she could calm that reflection. 

But it was hard, because a question still burned in her mind. 

'The techniques he has, the power those have, its more than I can do right now. Even training with the others, even the pressure points Tofu-Sensei showed me won't mean anything if I can't get close.' 

She didn't have enough time, not to grow stronger, not to undermine the techniques or create a counter. 

'Stop. Calm. Focus. Don't think about what I lack, think about how can I make up the difference, I need a solution, not stress.' 

A way to match the power her father would bring to bear in their fight. It seemed almost impossible and yet something danced on the edges of Ranma's senses as she poured through her mind and spirit. 

A stray thought came to mind and the waters in the Koi Pond began to writhe, the rock beneath her feet cracking as Ranma's Chi flared and her eyes flew open. 

'Oh.' 

_________________

After the night's string of dramatic revelations and looming tension Nabiki had, somewhat counter intuitively, tried to be helpful.

Of course, she wasn't a martial artist, or magical or really any help save for the occasional reality check on those matters.

Thus she left Ranma to strategizing over Kuonji's tale of Genma's secret attack. Followed by sparring with Dr Tofu, Xian Pu & Hibiki throwing themselves into the fray at times as well, while Akane pawed over old family scrolls and Kasumi tended to food.

Nabiki had taken her elder sister aside to discuss some of their plans. If nothing else the secret bank account was finally ready for use, but that was the best she could do.

Thus, she ended up being the first in bed and thus, very uncommon, was the first to rise.

'Or so I thought,' Nabiki mused, toweling off her hair as she walked into her toom to find Ranma perched on her windowsill.

The girl instantly looked away from her barely covered form, cheeks tinged pink.

"Hey now, its just us girls here you know~"

"I know, but ah, still," Ranma mumbled, looking very intently at the wall.

"A shame, I thought you'd come to confess your undying affection and how you'd whisk me away to an island resort."

"... Isn't it usually a deserted island?"

"Please, Ranma-Chan, I have standards, no less than four stars dear."

The redhead snorted, muffling her laughter with her hand as Nabiki threw on some clothes and let the redhead gather her thoughts before finally asking. "So, what can I do for you this morning?"

Ranma's posture stiffened and she finally looked at Nabiki, staring intently. "I have a favor to ask, and I can't ask any of the others."

"What could I do to help that they couldn't?"

Ranma rolled her shoulders, "The old bastard would see help from them coming, hell be on the look out. Plus, I'm not sure they'd agree given what I have in mind."

"Even Xian Pu?"

"I don't wanna use her honor oath against her, and still, pops will be ready."

"Ah, so I'm just your last, best option," Nabiki joked, but Ranma looked, ill.

"I'm... I'm asking cos I trust you, Nabiki Nee-Chan."

'Terrible decision really.'

Sighing, she strode up to the redhead and ruffled her hair, "All right, fill me in on your plan and I'll help you."

______________________________________

Time somehow felt to be passing too quickly and agonizingly slowly to Akane. The fight for Ranma's future, her very life was going to happen, soon.

Their motley crew marched through the streets of Nerima. In the distance she could see a glimmering jade statue, the signature attraction of the Buddhist temple rising from the ground.

Everyone was present, Dr Tofu had closed his practice for the day and walked alongside Ukyo who was keeping up through use of a cane. Ryoga was being gently guided to stay on the path by Kasumi, while Nabiki walked at Ranma's side and at her own.

Akane felt a shoulder nudge her, Xian-Pu's shimmering red eyes meeting hers. "Fret not, there is a plan."

Akane leaned in to whisper, "You're sure?"

Xian Pu just nodded, "Call it instinct," Her gaze drifted to Ranma, "I sense no fear, she is at peace."

She slowly nodded, trying to attune her still ill practiced senses to Ranma's aura with some success. Out of everyone's present hers was the only one that seemed alive at the moment, shimmering like like fire, but clinging to her frame like a second skin.

Once again she saw Ranma's head drift to Nabiki, or more, the bag she was holding, but her sister just smiled and said nothing, ensuring Ranma's head turned away again.

Akane didn't know how she felt about a plan involving her sister, but as they arrived at the temple steps she knew she could do nothing about it. Sucking in a breath, she followed Ranma up barely registering the tiered forest on every level of the giant rise.

Just as they began nearing the top, Ranma froze, turning to face them she said. "I... Thanks for coming, all of you and-" She bit her lip, "Just for everything."

"You're blushing Ranma-Chan~" Nabiki sang, poking her cheek, "Its cute, you should do that more."

"Don't bully her Nabik-Nee-Chan," Akane groused, grasping Ranma's hand and smiling, "Don't thank us, its what friends are for, OK?"

Ranmas eyes shimmered a moment as her gaze drifted across them all before she nodded, a grim expression blooming on her  face. Ponytail flicking over her shoulder she added, "And guys, please remember. 'I' don't want to kill him."

With that ominous rejoinder, Ranma turned back and they reached the top of the stairs in silence.

______________________________________

Awaiting her at the top of the steps was a respectable Buddhist Shrine, much the same as any and every one she had visited. Wooden beam posts, elevated floors, with a subtly golden hip-and-gable roof that went out in sharp arches. All that jumped out to her was the surrounding tree line and the monstrous jade Buddha, easily three stories in height.

Standing before the temple were four people, two were obviously monks, dressed in humble robes and shaved head. The younger was holding a clipboard while the elder strode forward, radiating serenity.

'And there they are, but one is missing,' Ranma observed, spying her mother, standing away from the whole affair, swords still in her arms and her face mute. In contrast her old man strode up to her alongside the monk glaring intently as they came to a stop before her.

"Boy," Genma muttered.

Ranma pointedly ignored him, her attention on the monk who offered a polite bow. "Good day to you challenger, I am the head of this humble temple and the official observer for this match. Tell me, what are the terms you both have agreed to?"

Ranma pointed a thumb to herself, "I am Ranma Saotome, heir to the clan and martial arts schools of the same name. I exercise my right to challenge my master and clan head for leadership! We fight until one surrenders, fall unconscious or dies and the loser surrenders to the winners edicts!"

The monk smiled and bowed, turning to Genma, "You agree to these terms then?"

Genma snorted, "It will not matter seeing as I shall win!"

The monk stared, "Whether you win or not is irrelevant, you must consent to the terms."

Genma muttered something about stepping on his moment, his gaze drifting to her friends and then back to Nodoka. "Very well, but I want to add a clause to our fight."

"And that is?" Ranma arched her brow.

"We can both use any tool, technique or weapon, including those given to us by outsiders, but, no outsider may participate in the fight."

'That explains where Soun is, probably hiding to throw a weapon 'to' Genma, through me or...' A chill ran down her spine, 'Something worse.'

Genma saw he got to her, he was smirking already, but Ranma steadied herself, 'You aren't the only one with plans old man!' She pointedly did not look at Nabiki and instead offered a cocksure grin, "Sure, whatever helps you last longer than two minutes."

"Trust me, 'boy' this will not last long," Genma intoned, turning he began to walk, and Ranma followed Genma and the monk to the center of the sharply cut stone square courtyard.

As the monk went off to organize things with his apprentice, Genma looked over his shoulder at Nodoka, "Do you wish to say anything to your son my wife?"

Nodoka... Barely even turned to face him, her gaze on the grinning Buddha as she answered. "I am but the wife and mother, it is not my place to interfere in this battle."

Her father looked soured, but Ranma felt something.... Ease off her chest at that. Whatever her mother thought, she would respect the outcome of this fight, and with it, Ranma's nullification of the contract. That was.. Something, at least.

Any other thoughts were cast aside as the elder monk raised his hand high, "The rules have been agreed, the declarations made and witnesses stand ready. The match for the Saotome clan and School can now begin!"

Neither waited for the other to begin the attack.

Each fighter kicked off from their easy standing position into a perfect striking form. Ranma's fist was caught in Genma's grasp just as se caught his with her free hand.

Each made for a right legged round house kick before the reality of their potential blows forced them to flip backwards and apart.

Ranma had one palm out flat to catch any blows and the other braced to strike when-

A burning hot, stinging sensation splashed across her frame, making her yowl as some ancient looking kettle soared over head and into Genma's snatching grasp.

"Sorry about the water boy, but we can't help it if you got... Splashed?"

Ranma's entire body was burning, seething, screaming but it was still 'her' body, clear to all as the steam cleared.

"But... How, this was meant to break the curse!"

Xian Pu cackled, "Ignorant oaf, that artifact cannot overcome a thrice born embrace of the waters!"

Genma's enraged shout was buried under Ranma's cry of fury. The ground shattered as she exploded towards him, aura flaring like a beacon.

Genma's defense wasn't enough, she smashed his secret 'weapon aside. Her free fist crashed against his and drove it back. With a roar, she drove her knee into his jaw
and there was a violent crack of bone and air as he shot up.

'Not getting away!' She snagged his ankles and slammed him into the stone. The ground sundering and cratering beneath her power, screams ringing out from the audience.

She dragged his legs aside, intent on stamping his chest down until something broke, but a sudden burst of his battle aura sent Ranma reeling. Genma loosed a demonic howl, it stung her ears and gave him just enough time to spin his hips and kick his way out of her grip, leaping away from her reach.

Marching from the crater, Ranma snapped, "That trick won't work twice old man, and your secret weapon is a dud. So give up, or I swear-"

She was interrupted by a bitter peel of laughter from Genma, "Threaten me all you like boy!" Genma wiped the small river of blood from his chin, "Boast and bellow until you can't speak anymore, it won't make a difference."

Ranma's march stilled as she saw something wild and furious whipping out from his Battle Aura, the air itself seemed to be screaming.

"Because for all I taught you Ranma, I never taught you everything, so bear witness to a true masters power."

"Ranchan!"

'This is it!'

"Demon God, Multiple Strike!"

Ranma flung herself to the side, the air around her screaming, the soles of her shoes disintegrating as a screaming gale of wind blades tore passed her towards the jade Buddha.

"Mum!"

Nodoka had barely been pulled aside by the Chief mink in time.

But they all saw the invisible blades cut through the treated stone like it was paper, sending the giant statue crumbling to the ground with such weight and force it shook the earth.

"Behind me all of you!" The Head Monk proclaimed, hands falling into a prayer as the sound of a distant gong rang out, a glowing, spectral shield materializing before the monk and his temple as everyone hurried behind him.

Genma was still radiating anger, even as he forced it down, "Do you see now boy how out of your-"

"Shut. UP!" Ranma shot to her feet, her gaze locking onto Nabiki who was on the edge of the defensive barrier. "You think you're the only one who can plan, the only one with secret techniques? Idiot! You're the one who taught me a technique you can't even use!"

Ranma launched herself in the air, Nabiki drew back her arm and loosed her bag, a feline yowl muffled by the material as rage drained away fro her faithers face to be replaced by terror.

"You can't!" He cried.

But Ranma already had the bag, she was looking into the cats eyes, its claws dug into her palms and-

______________________________________

Genma acted on instinct, fear and rage suppressed in a moments notice to embrace the Umesenken.

He moved forward, invisible and swift to deliver a dozen strikes along the boy's spine and lay him low.

Mere moments before the first strike could land he saw Ranma's ears twitch, heard a faint sniff on the air, and a hiss.

His blow surged down but Ranma was gone in a flash, vaulting over him, the cat hugged protectively to his chest.

Landing, the redhead swept his feet out from under him, only years of training let Genma arch out of the way of the blow.

Ranma's hand struck out like a claw and the blades of Chi it unleashed ripped across his back even as he surged away.

Rising to a defensive stance, Genma watched in muted horror as the maddened Ranma took up something akin to a martial artist stance. The cat on his students shoulder hissing alongside them.

'This... This has never happened before!'

But then, Ranma had never willingly embraced the madness of the Neko-Ken before now.

'If this is its true power!'

Genma launched himself into the sky, barely dodging Ranma's bounce.

The redhead glared up at Genma as he began to spin, a roar cracking across the skies like thunder.

"Dance of the Mad Demon God!"

A dozen fold blades of screaming air descended upon Ranma, a chaotic chorus of cutting death one bore no chance of dodging.

So Ranma did not, instead sucking in a terrible, singular breath and unleashing a roar that split the air as it crashed against the heart of his many blades.

The explosive wave of force tore the surrounding woods to shred, tore stone up like mere paper in a hurricane and in the chaos, Ranma leapt.

Tearing through the remains of his attack, the younger fighter was too fast, for Genma to strike against, barely able to brace as he was ripped from the sky.

Descending to the earth with a crash, all he could think to do was craft his Battle Aura into a barrier. It surged around his body, welling and reshaping itself into a facsimile of his form, gargantuan enough that even Ranma's claw strikes only weakly cut his skin.

With swipe of a single, giant hand he drove the fighter back, even as his body rebelled and ached at the strain of it all. Shooting up, he launched a giant fist only to see it ripped and shredded by Ranma's feral strikes.

'Surprise is my only chance!'

He surged forward, shaking the earth and loosing a deafening war cry.

Ranma's roar match and even surpassed his own, the cursed fighter charging him and unleashing those deadly strikes.

Genma's Battle Aura gave wave with ease and instead Ranma's strike shredded the nearby tree line to timber.

The real Genma slid passed Ranma and kicked off from the ground, intent on delivering a final blow! Only for the redhead to spin around and forcing him to catch her wrists to stay another attack.

"Damn... You... Boy..."

Genma's entire body was screaming as he tried to overwhelm Ranma on raw strength, only to see it being met as the ground cracked and crumbled beneath them.

Then he saw Ranma suck in another breath.

'No.'

There was a quiet gleam of near sanity in those eyes as Ranma leaned forward and roared.

______________________________________

"Cover your ears!"

Nabiki didn't know who shouted it but she was way ahead of them. She watched and felt the booming, echoing roar unleashed by Ranma, so intense it made shockwaves and made her skeleton rattle in her skin.

Genma fared no better, his body lurching back violently, blood exploding from his ears and nose before he even touched the ground.

Crashing against the monk's barrier, Genma fell limp against the shimmering wall. His clothes in tatters, blood staining his skin as he clumsily tried and failed to stagger to his feet.

All the while Ranma approached, a tiger ready to but down on its prey's neck and end the hunt, her entire body ablaze with power.

"I- I surrender! I Yield!" Genma cried, his words confused and clumsy as he curled in on himself.

Ranma didn't listen, lunging for the man.

'I don't want to kill him,' she had said.

Others must have been listening because the barried vanished and in a blur, Dr Tofu, Xian Pu, Ryoga, Akane and even Ukyo moved forward, barring Ranma's path.

The was a burst, a blazing wall of Chi and hissing as Ranma pressed against them but she did not strike or thrash, even as she snarled and gnashed her fangs.

Ukyo and Dr Tofu were silent, but the others did speak.

"Ranma-Chan, you didn't want to kill him!"

"Your honor still remain, Ranma."

"You won Saotome."

Kasumi was the next to move, slow and steady she strode up to Ranma's side, the snarling mass of primal fury softening at her presence.

Kasumi took Ranma's cheek in her hand and cooed, "You've don so well Renma-Chan, you can rest now."

Ranma's arms lower slowly, the feral gleam in her eyes fading as she dropped to her knees and fell into their collective embrace.

Nabiki let out a quiet sigh, even as she turned her gaze to Genma and was pleased to see him pass out in her fathers arms.

'I think... It might be over.'

___________________________________________

Nodoka took in the scene with a now familiar numbness, a sensation she has been burying herself in since the revelations the day previous. The thought of her child cursed, of Genma killing them, of having to follow through on the contract and the reality she would kill herself without a second thought after's... 

It had all been too much. 

So she buried herself in honor, duty and a demure manner. No man questions it when a woman keeps her silence and so Genma did not ask if she had overheard Ranma's plotting and she did not tell him. 

But at the same time... She did nothing else. 

Only half hearing the monk declare Ranma's victor, Nodoka's gaze was draw to her... Child, who seemed to have passed out and was now being tended to half like a person, and half like a cat. 

Her katana rattled, the sheaths straining in her grip as she turned her attention to Genma, stil out cold, embraced by a sobbing Soun and no one else. 

Finally, something forced its way from her throat. 

"What... What did I just see? That technique, Ranma's behavior, what in the gods name was that?" 

The Kuonji boy looked to her muttering, "The Neko-Ken, Samurai." 

She swallowed. Some part of her had already known that in her heart; but to see that monstrosity actually used, to see Ranma fight despite the madness, to have survived it at all... 

Her voice was near silent and broken as she hung her head low, "I have been a terrible mother." 

___________________________________________

Ranma was stirring, slowly, she felt tired as hell, her muscles strained and aching and her Chi practically gone. Plus, she felt so damn comfy she just wanted to nap in the sun with all the nice touches soothing her aching frame. 

But there was a worried voice, several in fact, drawing her back to wakefulness. 

"Why hasn't she woken up yet?" 

"Her body is strained and her Chi is nearly wiped out. The Neko-Ken doesn't grant new strength, it merely pushes the body beyond any sane limits."

"She's still purring... Will she..." 

"I don't know, most who fall to the madness never return, but Ranma-Chan has before." 

"Save this time, she embraced it by choice, was stronger, more skillful but maybe buried deeper now..." 

"She'll come back, she has to-" 

Ranma' opened her eyes, "Who... Who says I'm not coming back- aH! Tight, tight," She squealed as Akane delivered a bone crushing hug. 

Akane shot back, letting Ranma flop into Kasumi's lap shouting, "Sorry, sorry!" 

"Its good, I'm a badass remember? Mhmmm, that's nice," She purred, as Kasumi patted her hair. Then she froze, "The fight, my old man did I-"

"You won," Ukyo cut in. 

"The oaf lives," XIan Pu added, "We stopped you." 

Ranma let out a low breath, "Thanks, I didn't wanna do something like that while I wasn't thinking straight." Pulling her legs in, Ranma waved off Dr Tofu and forced herself to shaky feet and was pleased to see her father stirring. 

Her gaze drifted over to her mother who merely bowed, "Congratulations on your victory." The words were whispered quietly and bereft of any real tone, Ranma had no clue what to make of them, and her vision and senses were still to spotty to even try perceiving her Chi. 

"... Thanks, it was hard won," She finally settled on, before lurching towards her father who stared up at her with shadowed eyes. Before she could speak the head monk tapped her on the shoulder. 

"Young Sensei, you shattered his ear drums in the battle, you may want this, alongside your declaration of victory." He then passed her the scrolls of the clan and school, with the flick of a pen she could hast him from the clan and school. 

All they needed was her signature, which she was willing to give with the flick of a borrowed pen. 

"Ranma-K-" Soun started. 

"Enough!" He lurched back and Ranma pushed on. "I am no one's son, I never was I never shall be, but until today I was that man's student and child." She flicked the scrolls over and spoke sharply. 

"You might be deaf but you can read my lips, this, this right here is the end of it. All of it. You are no longer acknowledged as a Saotome or as a member of our School. In this your verdicts and your decisions can now be overturned by me, so I am dissolving any contracts or agreements I was not aware of or consenting too. No more debts cos you didn't want to pay for a meal, no more fiancé's, no more man among men." 

She rocked back on her feet, sucking in a breath, "You're responsible for fixing the things you've broken, be it your word, or the law or the martial artists code. I will not fight your battles for yo again, Genma-San." 

She then straightened and offered a curt bow, "I thank you for the lessons, I learned much from you, sir. Good luck with your life." 

Then she turned and began walking back to her friends, ignoring Soun's howling sobs and unwilling to even chance a glance her her mother. 

Thus, she didn't hear Genma's growl. 

She did not sense his raging Chi. 

Did not see her friends horror. 

Not until it was too late. 

___________________________________________

Genma saw his foe's back turn to him and began to move, sheer rage and instinct guiding his every motion. 

'You do not turn your back on me.' 

He was on his feet, Chi surging through his frame. 

'You do not reject me.'

He was moving to fast too stop. 

'You are mine!' 

He made Ranma and he-

Something red splashed across his vision, crimson droplets scattering across Ranma's face like so many rain drops. 

His entire left side felt... Cold, numb and pained all at once and he could not feel his heartbeat racing any more.

He looked down to see his blood spilling from his chest and across the blade and over Nodoka's hands. 

Someone, no several someone's were crying, in shock maybe, horror, he didn't know.

Because with a quiet, "oh..." Genma fell and the darkness consumed him.