Can't You See I'm Smiling?

by StardustX86

Summary:

Ranma arrives at the Tendo Dojo but something is very wrong. They arrive in their birth form, Genma reveals the curse early and Ranma is unnervingly upbeat about the engagement. A dark secret lurks at the heart of it all, a forbidden technique that twists its user if employed without restraint. Genma has never been a good teacher but has he destroyed Ranma in his quest to create the ultimate martial artist?

Notes:

This was an idea that was inspired by a concept in the Machine Heart by Natalie Maher. An amazing story about magic girls and fucked up magic systems I loved so much I wanted to apply some concepts to a story about Ranma. This will not be a fukufic but I have been inspired by some of the principles of magic that I liked and applied it to ki: Omg if you havent read this story check it out, its so long and detailed I adored it.

This was just an idea that just leapt out at me and my ADHD latched on and wouldnt let it go. Chapters will be shorter on this one I promise.

T.W, transphobia, bullying, dysphoria, depression, misgendering and abuse

Chapter 1: Here's Ranma!

“FIANCÉ?!!”

The scream echoed throughout the Tendo Dojo. The moustachioed patriarch of the Tendo dojo flinched at the fury in his youngest daughter’s voice. He looked around at Akane’s older sisters for support but wilted further when he saw the disappointment in Kasumi’s eyes and the disbelief in Nabiki’s. Rallying, Soun Tendo, decided to soldier on. Hopefully, Genma would arrive soon with Ranma in tow. Then schools would finally be joined and the future of his Dojo would be secured.

‘Hurry, Genma. The time has come to bring our dream to fruition. Anything Goes must be whole once again.’

(-:-)

*Snicker* “Oh pops, you really went and chose my fiance for me? How can I ever thank you enough?”

“Growf”

“You don’t say? O-of course you don’t. Silly panda!”

“Growf! Growf guff growf rrrr!”

“Yay! Time to play again? Ooo that was close Pops! That one too! Well not really, but you’re trying your best. You can do it if you believe! Oh now that is cheating. I haven’t even seen you ble-”

*Splash*

“I just… why… no please…jus…oh..”

“Snarf! Growf!”

“T-thanks I guess. If you think it's for the best then I suppose it's for the best!

“Growf!”

“Awww but I wanna…

“Rrrrr gruff growf!”

“Fine. The Tendo Dojo you said?”

(-:-)

When a knock came from the door, the last thing that Akane expected was to see her panicked father and Nabiki, only moments ago cheerfully running to welcome their father’s old training partner and his son to their home, scrambling towards her and Kasumi with a giant panda hot on their heels.

Father placed himself between them and the wild animal, arms outstretched and shaking while Nabiki berated their daddy for his ignorance regarding why there was a GIANT-FUCKING-PANDA in their hallway!

“Oh my! I went to the market today but I had no idea your friend would have such a specific dietary needs, father. I’ll need to visit Mrs Kobayashi’s stall and place an order of bamboo in bulk. Is his son a panda too?”

‘Dear sweet Kasumi’, Akane almost giggled at her sister’s subtle dig at their dad’s expense. ‘Please… never change”. Despite the threat of an imminent mauling by a large, non-native ursid, her darling older sister remained unflappable. Akane readied herself to step in, gi rustling as she took a combat stance. The panda raised a claw, eyes gleaming with ravenous bloodlust… and plucked a black-haired teenager from its back, which it placed gently in front of the Tendo family.

Akane, along with her whole family, blinked in surprise. A cheerful grin spread across the young teen’s features. They were rather short and slender, delicate in bone structure. Their facial features were soft with full lips and wide cerulean eyes surrounded by thick, long eyelashes. They waved and then chuckled to themselves for a moment, reaching up to pat the Panda on the arm. Then they gave their full attention back to Akane’s family before giving a formal full bow.

“Sorry for the intrusion”, they began with a husky voice that was rather pleasant to Akane’s ears. She scowled, her worst fears confirmed as they continued, “I’m Ranma Saotome. Pops here mentioned something about an engagement? Lovely ta meet you all”

(-:-)

I feel a surge but grip it and feed it into the furnace of my soul before it, or any of the other strands that threaten to overwhelm me, can do so. Streams of blue blend with a torrent of green and the ever present purple that, unlike the others, is an all pervading fog that fuels me constantly. The tiniest thread of gold begs to be burned too but that I leave untouched. It is my lifeline and Pops says not to touch it. Without it I would cease to be. And that would be a bad thing…right?

My skin itches and my eyes burn. I ignore these sensations as I always have but it is becoming persistent lately. I wonder why that is? Oh well, there is nothing I can do about it. Best to just keep smiling.

All the girls are so very pretty. Strands of pink and orange join the queue to my core, they are not gold and so they have to go. Oh they burn brightly! My body aches to move, to leap, to dance. But I am a guest here and now they are staring at me strangely. I giggle and duck as I sense the passage of a paw over my head. Silly pops with his ‘surprise attacks’. I suppose it keeps him happy.

The middle-aged man with the mustache says something but I don’t catch it, my attention caught by a sparkling surface in the courtyard of this beautiful home. I don’t know how but I can feel this is a place of happy memories and family. It is entrancing, but not as entrancing as the siren call of the pond. I am already moving before I realise it, only to be yanked back by the collar.

Ah. Pops is angry now.

I giggle again and give the big lug a hug to show I’m sorry before returning my attention to our host. He is looking at me expectantly. Oh no! I must have ignored his question! No wonder Pops was angry.

“Oh he’s cute!”

(-:-)

“Oh he’s cute!”

The faintest hint of a blush spread across the boy’s face as he reached for the long pigtail over one shoulder, his hand giving a shudder before returning to his side. His face gave a strange twitch and then the blush vanished as fast as it had appeared. The grin on his face looked frozen for a moment, before spreading until he was beaming.

Kasumi frowned. As intune to the Wa of the household as she was, there was something wrong with this boy. Something about him was disrupting the peaceful aura she worked so hard to perpetuate. He was like a sharp, shrill discordant note ringing out to grate against the tones of the gentle harmonious orchestra that was the Tendo Dojo.

“Thanks!”, Ranma chirped happily to Nabiki. “You’re nice! Do you practice the art? Pops is really into the art. We’ve been travelling for years I think.”

Kasumi watched Nabiki’s eyes narrow, her early enthusiasm vanishing. It seemed she wasn’t the only one who noticed something amiss.

Akane, her volatile little sister, took the opportunity presented by the brief silence to stamp forward, growling. She looked ready to lash out at the boy.

Luckily, it was then that her Father snapped out of his stupor and launched himself towards Ranma, wailing and hugging the boy.

Kasumi sighed and, nodding to her sisters, decided to return to the kitchen. It seemed she would need to prepare some tea. She paused for a moment as she realised the Panda was following her. She cocked a head in the panda’s direction regarding the animal curiously. It just stared back before reaching behind itself pulling… a wooden sign out of somewhere.

It held it out and she realised it had something written on it

“Hot water, please”

Kasumi’s eyes widened and she looked up at the panda who gave her an encouraging nod.

“Oh my!”

(-:-)

I’m being hugged. It's uncomfortable and moist. The man, Mr Tendo I assume, is crying on my shoulder. The green spirals and the purple billows, my furnace roars as it tries to keep up with the intake. Peace descends once more on my mind and I reach up to pat the man on the back. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do here but Ryo-ryo always said that you should comfort someone when they're sad. Mr Tendo pulls away and while he is crying, he is smiling. I did a good job!

“Ranma, my boy!”, he begins, a small wave of purple spikes manifest within before being consumed. I really need to move soon. Maybe a run and spar? I can barely contain all the energy surging within. Where did pops go? Oh Mr Tendo is still talking.

”I've waited for you for so long”, he wails, “now we can -”

“Tendo!”

Mr Tendo freezes, his watery eyes latching onto the figure just exiting the kitchen, followed by the tallest girl. She looks upset, I think.

Ah Pops is human again!

(-:-)

Akane spun around as the deep voice rang out across the room. There, striding from the kitchen, a rather dazed-looking Kasumi following behind him, was a middle-aged man in a white gi. He had a bandana wrapped around his head, large round glasses hiding small, piggy eyes, a stout frame and a cruel mouth turned up in a grin. Moments later, he and her father were embracing, tears streaming down their cheeks

“Saotome! Where did you come from?”

“In a moment, Tendo, it’s been a long journey. Break out the sake and I’ll explain everything.”

“Of course Saotome! Kasumi please get the sake and warm it for our guest. What about Ranma, old friend?”

Akane felt a tap at her elbow and flinched back as she turned to see the smiling face of the weird Ranma boy far too close to her own. He giggled and she shuddered. His voice was pleasant but something about his tone was strange.

“Hey, Akane right?”, he said happily, “You said you’re the heir of the dojo right? I really need to let loose energy, you know what I mean? Wanna spar?”

Akane felt a ferocious grin spread across her own features. The rage roiling within her demanded release and this stupid BOY had just volunteered to be her punching bag.

“Sure”, she said, injecting false cheer into her voice.”Let me show you the dojo. You study Kenpo huh?”

“Oh a little”, replied her vict- fellow student in the art

“Good, that’s good,” Akane lied. “Don’t worry, I promise to go easy on you”

(-:-)

I hum a little tune under my breath as I follow Akane into the dojo proper. It’s beautiful. The gold within thrums along with my song. At first glance the building is simple but the walls and floors are beautifully maintained. The wood grain of the floor is polished and shines, the walls sport several scrolls and weapons. A small shrine can be seen towards the rear of the building and I give it a little bow. Ryo-ryo used to say that was respectful and I can understand that. People should be sad when people pass on.

I wonder what that would be like?

I stand across from Akane now who is taking a stance. She has seen me bow and gives me a nod, which I return. I feel the pink rise up again. What is that? Such a rare colour and now I’m seeing it regularly, here and in China. It's a bit strange but it burns well. By now my body is fairly vibrating. I hope Akane can give me a good fight. I get into my relaxed stance and wait for her to start the match.

“Hiyah!”

(-:-)

Akane let loose a cry as she rushed forward and launched a punch at the smarmy BOY who had dared to trespass in her home. In her sanctuary! He might be a little better than the boys at school and that asshole, Kuno. At least he showed some propriety and showed her mother’s shrine respect. He also really did seem to appreciate the dojo she worked so hard to maintain. That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to kick his ass though.

A moment later her confidence in victory was shattered.

Ranma…flickered. Pain blossomed along Alane’s jaw and she found herself looking up at the ceiling. She groggily pulled herself to her feet, head ringing.

Ranma was nowhere to be seen.

Something screamed in her senses and she ducked as a kick lashed out at her head from behind. She rolled forward and launched herself back to her feet only to double over in agony as Ranma appeared in a flicked of blinding colour to drill an elbow into her gut. A giggle escaped her foe as he vanished once again. His mirthful voice echoed around the dojo.

“Akane, you’re great! I can’t believe you ducked that kick! Well done! This is fun,right? Come on, feel free to hit back. I can take it!”

Akane felt a chill of fear. This boy was good. He was… faster than her and not afraid to hit her hard. She… could lose… to a boy… To a BOY!”

Rage enveloped her and she felt something approach her, just a hint but it was there.

She raised an arm and blocked the fist aimed at her chest, capturing it with a twist and spinning to launch her opponent outside the dojo with a powerful throw. The wide-eyed glee on Ranma’s face was the last thing she saw before he hit the surface of the Koi pond.

(-:-)

“And that is the entire tragic tale”

Nabiki swore under her breath as she felt her chance for a cute fiancee slip away. Ranma was pretty and all but she had no desire to be outed by getting a fiancee that appeared to be female half of the time. She wanted to be a successful businesswoman in the chauvinistic world of Japanese commerce. She couldn’t risk the scrutiny, even if it matched her preferences. A sweet, naive fiance would have been the perfect beard and possibly a decent partner. She wouldn’t have been opposed to discreet lovers on the side either. She wasn’t a cruel woman, often. But Ranma… no that would be too dangerous.

One look at Kasumi and she knew that Akane was going to be furious. Her older sister looked perturbed and uncomfortable. It looked like Akane was going to be the sacrificial lamb. Oh well, she had decided to be the heir. It was only fair that she was lumbered with the fiance who was the martial arts jock.

“However…”

Oh it seemed like the future freeloader had more to say

“Something in the magic of the springs affected my son’s mind. Whatever you do, keep him away from cold water if you can. The form he takes may seem harmless but it can be dangerous if left unchecked. Splash him with hot water as soon as you can and whatever you do don’t let him fight in that form. It can get ugly.”

At that moment a blurred form crashed into the Koi pond. As the Nabiki and the family stared in shock, a petite arm reached from the water to grip the stone lining of the pond. Rose’coloured hair broke the surface, followed by a beautiful face with glittering pink eyes. Her lips were fuller, and her face slightly rounder but she was unmistakably Ranma. She was not much shorter than her other form but the water drenched her clothing and it clung to her body, putting all her curves on display. Her breasts were full and the ass was beautifully curved, wider hips and a hint of sculpted abs gave her an irresistible allure. Nabiki felt her mouth go dry.

Maybe she should reconsider.

Then the girl smiled and Nabiki froze. Mouth stretched wide in a maniacal grin, her teeth clenched. Her eyes flickering around in their sockets and she raised her hands to her face as a blush suffused her features. She began to pant heavily and then threw back her head letting out a peal of haunting laughter. Her gaze snapped to the left and she lashed out with a palm, catching the fist of a panicking Genma. She laughed wildly and kicked the man in a blur of motion that sent him crashing back into the compound walls. Nabiki felt a heat rise in her as the girl Ranma locked eyes with her and licked her lips.

“Hi again!” she giggled, an edge of madness in her words, “it’s me, Ranma! Sorry about this!”

Chapter 2: Awash with Pink and Gold

Summary:

Ranma has emerged in their female form and all is not right. Will the Tendos survive her madness unleashed.

The water welcomes me and I float in an ocean of gold. The pinprick and threads that sustain my being are nothing to the force of this power that now courses within me. I cannot burn it, I’m not allowed to consume it, Pops says and for once I am in total agreement. This is bliss, it is rapture. Why am I not allowed to remain this way forever? Of course, following in the gold’s wake is the taint of blue, purple, green, orange and scarlet. But them I can burn, weaving them into a sickening tapestry and consuming them in my core. Their absence makes the gold suffusing me shine brighter, I feel light-headed and giddy. I almost fail to notice Pops playing one of his silly games as I emerge from the pond but like this I am on another level. I play the game as I was taught. 

 

“Only a weak girl allows themselves to be taken unawares. A true man must always be aware of his surroundings. If you are hit you fail”

 

His voice echoes back in my skull, the green and purple still being bent to my will struggle in my grasp. Pops appears beside me just then and lashes out at my neck. Funny! It’s just…so fucking funny. He can’t even touch me. Why does he even try?

 

I catch his fist and my muscles cry as I funnel power into them, lining them with pure energy, murky grey and tasteless. Spinning, I launch him into the wall of the dojo. He isn’t my opponent after all. Akane… I was fighting Akane. 

 

Pink seeps into my being and for the first time since China, I lose control. I can barely keep a hold of the serpent of sick light that currently twists in my grasp. The pink drifts unconcerned, taunting me, aware of my weakness and spins itself into the golden waves. I giggle and then feel a shaking in my body as a new heat fills me, my heart feels like it is about to launch itself from my chest… my cheeks are warm and I feel sensations of heat in regions of my body that are unfamiliar and almost painful. Yet at the same time, as I am burning up, as my breathing becomes heavier and the giggles evolve into peals of laughter tearing from my throat uncontrollably, I feel more alive than I have in forever.

 

My eyes take in the beauty around me, through the haze of sparkling rose-tinted gold. The yard and the rest of the  Tendo family are staring at me with wide-eyes and a variety of strange expressions on their faces. My gaze snaps to the middle sister. Like me she is breathing heavily and red tinges her cheeks. She must be burning too. Maybe she knows of the pink and the new realms of sensation it holds. It may be forbidden but it feels oh so good.

 

A surge of … something makes my body jolt and what was once heat is now a raging inferno. I lick my lips. My other form never lets me experience such overwhelming sensations as I now experience. I am breaking the rules but I really don’t give a fuck at the moment. 

 

Oh Nabiki looks worried now, I think. She isn’t feeling the pink anymore and that’s a shame. I smile to reassure her and she looks even paler. That’s not good. She should be happy. I’m happy and Ryo-Ryo always said that being happy comes from making others happy. 

 

“Hi again!” I giggled, “it’s me, Ranma! Sorry about this!”

 

Ah I think the pink is back. Her eyes are roaming my body. That feels good. I did a good job again, I think. People very rarely act the way I hope they will. Mostly they seem sad when they talk to me. It’s hard to tell since I never feel the same way. I have the gold and Pops says that is enough. It does make me wonder at times though.  Why is no-one ever happy that I’m happy? 

 

Thinking of China makes me think of Granny. She was never happy when I was. She always tried to get me to break the rules. I hope she’s proud of me now. It may have been unintentional but I finally did it. I’m an awful son. Awful…. This.. I don’t like this… other colours are winding from my grasp. I need to get back control.

 

I need to burn the colours faster. I need to move: It’s too much. I need to act. Akane! I remember. She is waiting for me. I can’t let her down. She is probably wondering where I went in the middle of our match. I swing my head around, seeing my prey opponent silhouetted in the doorway she’d thrown me from. The pink billows and the heat roars within, a wildfire coursing through my veins. The golden mass that suffuses every inch of my being is all. I let loose a peal of laughter, shouting my joy to the universe. She made me this way. Because of her and the cool waters that reshaped me, I am breaking the rules. She is responsible for this ecstasy. 

 

I launch myself back towards the dojo. 

 

(-:-)

 

Akane was frozen to the spot. Ranma had crashed into the koi pond. Ranma had crashed into the koi pond and a goddess had emerged in his place. 

 

Akane had always told herself she was straight, no matter the rumours at school, no matter that girls were so much better to look at than boys. She just had an appreciation for the feminine aesthetic. 

 

Also she definitely preferred older men. Like Doctor Tofu. He was kind, mature and very gentle. He was classically handsome, and… well that’s what she was supposed to like right. None of the other boys in school even came close to measuring up. Why should she even bother with dating immature jerks, she had standards after all dammit

 

But the doctor had never made her mouth go dry. He never made her breath catch and her body heat up like a furnace. She felt excitement and terror as the deity that had decided to grace her backyard giggled and laughed, flushed in the face and breath heaving. It was doing all sorts of strange things to her, weird thoughts running loose in her mind.

 

She came back to her senses as Ranma, (for who else could it be despite how impossible it seemed) effortlessly deflected and countered an attack by that man, Saotome-san, sending him flying into the wall of the dojo with a crash. Concern bloomed in her chest. She might not like the man but he was still her father’s friend. He would be upset if anything happened to him under their roof. As Akane moved closer to the doorway she saw that Saotome-san was crumpled in a heap on the grass. He was certainly unconscious and his chest was already developing a massive bruise. She felt a chill as she looked over the wound. A few inches higher and the blow would have struck his heart. Such an attack with that much unrestrained power would most likely have been fatal.   

 

A peal of laughter drew her attention back to the courtyard and her breath caught in her throat. Rose-coloured eyes, their centers flashing gold in the lantern light were locked onto her, devouring her, consuming her!  

 

A scream, hysterical and manic was all the warning she got. Just enough to raise her arms before she was thrown backwards by a kick that could have shattered her jaw. She could barely feel her arms. That wasn’t good. The blow she had just taken was worse than any Kuno or the hoard had ever landed on her. She had barely raised a shaky guard, her opponent nowhere in sight, when she froze as a pair of slender arms draped around her shoulders from behind and she felt warm breath on her ear. A sweet voice, dripping with joy, sent hot shivers throughout her body. 

 

“Sorry about that Akane. You really did get me good there and Pops almost distracted me from our… little… match”

 

 Ranma breathed those last words with such emphasis it was almost like she was panting. Akane could feel the pressure of the girl’s chest pushed up against her back and she whimpered, as the boy-turned-girl let out another little giggle. 

 

“Don’t worry Akane! I wouldn’t do that to you. Not as things were getting interesting. I hope you’re ready for round two. The pink is everywhere and I neeeeeed it Akane. It feels so good! You’ll help me won’t you. I know you feel it too!”

 

Something in Ranma’s tone snapped Akana out of her daze. The boy… this girl was crazy. Maybe not in the Kuno sense but she felt wrong. She acted wrong. It was wrong, wrong, WRONG!.

 

“Get off me!” she screamed, rage suffusing her again. She lashed out with an elbow, only to hit air as her opponent disappeared. She whirled around just as Ranma appeared several feet away from her in a blaze of light. He… She was humming and bouncing in place. Exactly in the same spot as they had been in to start their last match. 

 

(-:-) 

 

I feel it now… the pink is brighter. Akane felt so warm as I held her. I… Ryo Ryo always told me that hugs were important between friends and I never really got it before now. Sure, I hadn’t minded when they wrapped their strong arms around me or held my hand, but it had only made the gold a little brighter. The other colours within were, of course, consumed and so I had enjoyed the burst of energy that came with the increased blues and oranges that accompanied the gesture. But now… as I stand here. I think I at least partially understand. 

 

I bounce on my feet idly as I wait for Akane to notice me.

 

 Ah she sees me! Good! 

 

I try to reign in the pink again, to burn it as I am supposed to but it is still without my control. The river of other colours still fight my grip and I cannot spare the focus needed to try and detangle the pink from the gold. If I am honest with myself I don’t think I want to. Maybe Pops is wrong about all the colours? Should I try releasing others? How good could they possibly feel? 

 

“Ready?” I ask happily, as my new friend Akane takes her stance again. I wiggle and dance in place, my skin buzzing and my heart pounding. I can feel the heat inside beginning to pulse with the beat of my heart. My breathing is coming in gasps. I can’t wait! I just can’t wait! Gold slithers through my veins and pink lights up my senses. 

 

She is moving towards me, but so slow. No! This won’t do at all. I want to see her shake, to smile, to feel the same exquisite, torturous happiness I do. 

 

I need to make her better and Pops always said pain was the best teacher. I need to be the best teacher for Akane. I feel the gold suffuse my entire being and thoughts begin to fade as one aching desire remains. I need to see her bleed! 

 

(-:-) 

 

Nabiki dashed towards the dojo, Kasumi and her father not far behind. Akane! She was in there alone with that … thing! 

 

She barely spared a glance towards the crumpled form of Saotome-san but bit back a snarl of disgust as she noticed her father peel off to crouch down beside the man. His daughter was at risk and their pathetic father was more interested in his friend’s wellbeing than in Akane’s safety. As she reached the doorway, she heard Kasumi gasp in horror, while Nabiki fought the urge to throw up.

 

Akane was caught in the center of a glowing web of light. The flickering image of Ranma’s female form danced all around her. She flowed and spun like she was gliding through the air, an ethereal and untouchable demoness. Akane on the other hand was being rocked back and forth by unseen blows. Her guard was up but it was useless. Her arms were mottled with dark bruises, her legs shaking and blood was dripping from her mouth, One eye was almost swollen shut and she looked about to collapse. This was no spar. It was a slaughter. 

 

Sensing movement out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kasumi try to lurch forward, likely to throw herself over their little sister and try to take the strikes upon herself. Nabiki caught her wrist and pulled her back. She wrapped her arms around her oldest sister as her sobs broke out. She was sure her own cheeks were wet too. Their only hope was that their father would be able to intervene as neither she nor Kasumi would be able to stop this onslaught. That hope soon died when she turned to see her father hobbling back to the veranda, Saotome-san thrown over one shoulder. Fucking coward. 

 

She steeled herself. Her mind began to race

 

Maybe Akane could pull out a win here but she doubted it. Ranma had to be stopped but how?

(-:-) 

 

I cheer as I land another blow. Akane is learning so well. The crimson on her lips reminds me of my own days learning at father’s hands. Well, before I stopped caring about such things of course. Those veins of black barely bother me now. I have them well in hand and they make such a beautiful mottled effect with the purples I burn constantly. The gold is all. But something is wrong. The pink seems to be slipping away. Something about seeing my friend learning how to be like me is draining it and I reach out for it desperate to retain that warmth. 

 

A mistake. I loosened my grip at the wrong time and with a mighty wrench, the shifting hydra of colour is no longer under my control. I gather them again quickly enough but not before the purple, normally an unfathomable tide in my other form, now a diminished yet potent streamer of power, lashes towards the gold and melts into its embrace. 

 

I stop, halting in my dance as something unfelt for years suffuses me.  

 

What is this? 

 

I sway and step back as Akane falls to her knees. 

 

My hands raise to my temples as waves of nausea make me shudder and gasp. My eyes are wet and my head begins to pound. I try to breathe but bile rises in my stomach and I look at my hands. 

 

They’re shaking. 

 

Why are they shaking?

 

Stained red

 

I throw a hand to my mouth as I feel my stomach contents rise, before quickly whipping the offending appendage away, leaving behind the sticky residue and copper scent of Akane’s blood. My friend Akane’s blood. I shudder and my body heaves as I vomit, splattering the dojo floor. I’m sweating, the world is spinning. My breathing is coming in short gasps. I laugh even as I stagger backwards

 

It's too much. 

 

Why am I like this? 

 

Why not just enjoy it? 

 

Why? 

 

The purple is making me feel this way. I need to get it back under control. Pops was right. I've been bad. I should never have indulged in the gold.

 

Why am I so worthless?

 

Why does it hurt? 

 

A crashing noise turns my attention back to the world beyond my recriminations. The roof of the dojo now has a new hole in it and from the dust I see a figure dart towards me. 

 

I could stop them… easily. But why should I? 

 

The purple threatens to drown me even as the gold is receding, the pink is but a spark of colour. 

 

I close my eyes. 

 

I feel warm arms wrap around me

 

Something soft presses to my lips. 

 

I open my eyes.

 

The gold becomes an inferno and the pink is now a torrent. Violet eyes sear into my own as with my last ounce of control I grasp the purple again and feed it into my core.

 

Darkness is rushing in to the corners of my vision as I try to focus on my savior

 

“Hiya Xian Pu-chan” I rasp, buzzing slightly as the gold and pink reach out to embrace me. 

.

“Ni Hao, Airen” her blurred form returns before I feel two fingers press a spot just under my collar bone and I fall into nothingness

 

(-:-) 

 

Akane felt her sisters, rather than saw them, as they embraced her. 

 

Everything was painful, she could barely see and her head was ringing. But one thing she couldn’t miss was the limp and smiling form of Ranma as she was held in the arms of a powerfully built woman with flowing lavender hair. 

 

Two other figures stood in front of her. One was a man in flowing robes, glasses perched on his head, a sword in each hand. The other was the most diminutive old woman she had ever seen wielding a staff taller than she was by a good margin. It was this woman that rushed over to her now. 

 

She barked several words in what sounded like Mandarin and the boy and woman nodded, the pair walking from the dojo and heading to the main building of the Tendo Compound. As they left, the boy darted up to stand alongside his feminine counterpart and Akane could see concern in his eyes as he looked down at Ranma’s limp form. The girl said something and the boy seemed to relax slightly. As they vanished from sight, the old woman turned back to Akane and her sisters. 

 

She was wrinkled beyond belief but her dark eyes were sharp and darted all over her form, taking in every detail. She wore long green robes that dragged along the floor and her white hair was thick and long, held back from her face by an intricate hairband. 

 

She bowed. 

 

Akane, Kasumi and Nabik just stared. 

 

“Excuse the rude manner of our entry children”, said the elderly woman, her tone soft and apologetic. “I am Elder Ku Lon of the Joketsuzoku tribe. I am sorry for what trouble our wayward member has done to both your home and person. Please, I ask that you find it in your hearts to forgive her. She is… not in her right mind”

 

“I´ll fucking say!”, shouted Nabiki, suddenly in between her sisters and the stranger. “That thing nearly killed my little sister. Get her out of our home now! I don’t care about the stupid engagement, or honour! Keep it away from my family!” 

 

“Engagement?”

 

The old woman looked puzzled for a moment, then sighed before rubbing her temple with her free hand. 

 

“I knew Genma was a fool, but not one so reckless as this.”

 

She turned her attention to Nabiki and nodded. “Rest assured I plan to take Xiulan with us when we leave, it's not safe for her to be here. She needs special care and treatment for her condition, neither of which I am afraid any of you are capable of providing.”

 

Akane felt the need to say something. A thought, a feeling, something told her it couldn’t end here. 

 

“Wh-” she coughed, then tried again “What’s wrong with them. Why did they change so much when they hit the water? Why stop in the middle of our fight? He could have killed me then he… just stopped”

 

Ku Lon stopped and looked thoughtful for a moment before lashing out several times, pressing points on Akane’s chest with unerring precision. Suddenly it was much easier for Akane to breath and she sucked down air gratefully

 

Ku Lon settled down next to Akane, ignoring Nabiki’s grunt of displeasure and Kasumi’s attempts at shielding her sister. She pulled out a case from her robes, far larger than should have been possible, making her audience look at her in disbelief.

 

With a rough chuckle, Ku Lon patted Kasumi's shoulder gently. 

 

“Perhaps you could help me dear. I’m quite the healer if I do say so myself but at my age any assistance is welcome. If you could get some hot water and then help your sister out of her gi, I’ll do my best to patch her up.” 

 

Kasumi quickly hugged Akane, causing her to whimper in pain before the older girl ran for the kitchen. Nabiki took her spot, still glaring at the intruder. 

 

Ku Lon then began to take what looked like medical supplies from the box, setting them aside as she reached over and began to take Akane’s pulse.  

 

“Girl, this is very important.” said the woman as she gave Akane a sharp glance. “I need you to tell me everything that has happened since Xiulan arrived at your home this evening.” 

 

Akane quailed under the harshness of the gaze before she gathered her strength and glared back.

 

“Why?”, she asked, trying to ignore the weariness that was trying to consume her. 

 

“Because…” said Ku Lon gravely, “It seems despite the destruction she wrought, something about you led to a breakthrough I spent months trying to achieve with her under my care. If you’re willing we might yet save that young girl from the madness her father forced upon her.”

 

End Chapter 2

 

 

Notes:

As always I love all your comments and I read them all. Sorry if it takes a few days to reply. This has been some really bad weeks, I think I had really high anxiety and my depression hasn't been good. I hope you all like the chapter.