Tales of Xian Mao Part Two: Quest For the Dragon Fist A Ranma 1/2 Fan fiction by Jeff Groves scholarmage@hotmail.com Brought to you by TreMoon Productions http://tremoonproductions.freeservers.com This story is the sequel to ToXM1: The True Cat Fist, and will make no sense whatsoever if you haven't read the new version (available on my web page, and recently reposted to RAAC). --First and Foremost-- I would like to apologize to the moderators and readers of RAAC, I forgot to flag TCF when I reposted it. It should have been flagged as Serious, Alterniverse, New Character, "Adult" Language, and Some Sexual Content. Sorry, I was pissed off at some Word98 -> *.txt formatting difficulties, and forgot. --Disclaimer-- I do not claim to own the characters or circumstances of Ranma 1/2, nor do I delusionally believe such. They are the property of one wonderful woman by the name of Takahashi Rumiko-san (please, woman, keep writing!), and are released in the US by Viz Communications. --Warning-- This story contains language strong enough to earn an "R" rating, and may without warning contain "lime" scenes. I'll warn before going "lemon", however, when and if I do. This is a Serious fanfic... not dark, but I'm not hard-wired to write slapstick. Sorry. This is an Alterniverse which deviates shortly before the Hiryuu Shoten Ha Cycle. This story contains a New Character. Sorry if that pisses you off. --A Few Notes Before We Begin-- Time is a stream: for it to continue passing, it must have passed in the fist place. Since no time has ever passed in the Ranma storyline, previous to my taking hold of it, I must, in order to have it pass now, force its passage prior. Therefore, I am arbitrarily declaring that nine months have passed since Ranma came to Nerima (that's right... three or four years of monthly manga took place in nine months. *shudder* could be worse... most condense the entire nine years of Takahashi's work into a single year of time passing). "Text" is spoken, usually in Japanese, although much of the first chapter is in Chinese (I'll try to be clear which is which, but let's use some common sense). "" is spoken, almost invariably in some language that few or none of the present characters understand. This is for your benefit, dear readers, and mine. 'Text' is thought, or sub-quoted. *Text* is telepathically imparted, though you'll see little of this, if any. is telempathic communication through Xian Mao's Kinship with felines. [Text] is written, language will be denoted. I'll probably use this for Genma-panda's signs, too. Now, after way-too-fucking-long a delay, I bring you ... ***** "Nothing vast enters the life of mortals without a curse." --Sophocles "From one thing know ten thousand things." --Musashi Miyamoto Quest for the Dragon Fist Chapter One "A New Age Begins" Ranma struggled up the mountain paths leading up to the Joketsuzoku village... and nearby Jhusenkyo. Strange, how with a chance at a cure so close, all he could think about was rescuing Xian Mao and Nabiki... and Shampoo, too, he guessed. The challenge had probably taken place at least a week ago, but he had to know how it had ended, and what had become of Xian Mao and Nabiki. Had Cologne killed them? Had Xian Mao submitted? Had Nabiki worked out some sort of deal? Nabiki. She'd hurt him, in the past, for reasons ranging from boredom to profit. He'd lost count of the times and never understood why. But, in many ways, she was his sister. A few things had become clearer since Xian had locked him and Akane in that strange bubble. Despite what had been done, Nabiki was Akane's sister, and Akane loved her. That meant that Nabiki was one of the people he should protect; not just because it was his duty as a martial artist, but because she was... not family, but close enough. His reasons for coming for Xian Mao were just a little more vague. The young priest held the secrets that might cure him of his cat phobia, and seemed to be a very powerful sorcerer... maybe he could find a cure for the Curse, if Jhusenkyo didn't hold it? And the strange young man had also helped him find a little clarity, a little bit of insight into his own mind and heart. By talking him through what had happened, then enclosing him in the bubble with Akane, Xian Mao had changed Ranma's view of the world. He owed it to him to at least know what had happened. And Shampoo... for all his new-found clarity, he didn't know if he cared or not what happened to her. When he'd first met her, she'd tried to kill him. When she'd found out that the woman she was trying to kill was actually a man cursed by Jhusenkyo, she'd tried to wed him. And, despite his repeated (if almost useless) attempts to push her away, she'd just kept coming. Granted, he understood why, now: the incident where she'd broken down Akane's door and explained all the gory details of Amazon Law in frighteningly precise Japanese had done wonders for his understanding of her situation, but... That didn't change what had been said and done, or its effects. So he, Akane, Oyaji, and Tendo-san climbed the steep, rugged path to the Joketsuzoku... wondering what lay ahead. It is worth noting that, upon arriving at the gates of the Amazon Village, even Ranma could tell that there were certain unpleasant social undercurrents floating around. Despite the fact that she (yes, Ranma somehow found a puddle to fall into) had been here before, she really didn't know what it should be like--it had been a tournament, then, and a festival--but she knew that this wasn't it. Everything was subdued, greyish, and quiet... the recent rain only added to the atmosphere. The streets were muddy and ill-kept, people darted about their business as quickly as they could, not bothering to look around. Very few smiled. Ranma and her companions stood at the gate, wondering what was going on. "Should we," Akane hesitated, "go in?" Perhaps speaking set it off, or perhaps it only seemed that way, but when Akane spoke, a flurry of activity began. There was a cry in Chinese, and out of nowhere three Amazon warriors, armed with bladed weapons appeared. Ranma, Akane, and their fathers froze. They knew better than to confront these warriors. They might win, but that could be as bad as loosing. There was a good deal of shouting in Chinese, and poking of the four outsiders with sticks and weapons as a crowd gathered. Ranma's temper began to sizzle, but she did not want to come out of this with another Kiss of Death... or, worse, another fiancée. Odd, that she thought of another suitor as worse than another who wanted her dead. "Hey! Watch where you stick that thing!" Ranma-chan yelled. The offending Amazon said something that was clearly crude, and made a gesture that was not only probably obscene, but very obviously suggestive. Possibly inviting. Someone stormed out of one of the larger huts, shouting. Probably something along the lines of "what's going on here?" "Shampoo!" the Pig-tailed girl cried. "Ranma?" there was no small amount of shock or surprise in the violet-haired girl's voice. Xian Mao, Nabiki, and Shampoo were having breakfast when the commotion at the gates began. At first, they ignored it. "What do you think has got those bimbos riled up this time?" asked an ever-acidic Nabiki. Her Mandarin was improving, but not quite at "conversational" levels yet, so they spoke Japanese among themselves. "No clue," Shampoo confessed. While everyone knew her name was properly pronounced Xian Pu, "Shampoo" had become a preferred moniker, reminding of the good times and avoided confusion with Xian Mao... generally called "Xian" by either girl, now. A shout from outside, and the resident male nearly dropped his tea. "That was Japanese." "Come again?" Nabiki demanded. "Whoever is outside is yelling in Japanese," he clarified. Animal senses were not quite so bad, out here in the boonies... his hearing, in particular, was useful. Unfortunately, Shampoo and Nabiki had very similar cycles, and his little trouble with fertile women was going to kick in any time, now. "Shampoo go look," the purple-haired young woman declared, sighing and standing up. Sometimes, she still spoke in the third person... an old habit from Nerima. On occasion, it slipped into her Chinese, as well. The Amazon warrior--still the strongest youth in the tribe, and stronger now than before she went after Ranma--stepped outside the hut. It was the one she'd once shared with She Who Was Gone, but that mattered little to her. Some saw it as strange that she still lived there, but that hardly mattered. "" she demanded, storming toward the gates. A group of warriors had gathered there, and were poking at several newcomers. "Shampoo?" Now -that- was a familiar voice. "Ranma?" Astonishment was really the only word that could describe what she was feeling. -Ranma- had come here? Why? For Nabiki? For Xian? For her? For She Who Is No More? Why? A few quick orders sent all but the most paranoid guards away. Them, and one Elder. "" Lin Long said, voice sugary with contempt, "" Shampoo quirked an eyebrow at the Elder, but said nothing. There was no right response, and no response was the least of many wrong ones. "" Shampoo snorted, and returned her attention to Ranma. "I see you bring Akane and Panda-man, too. And Violent-girl's father," there was no malice in her voice, and she smiled warmly. "Come, there are two here, at least, who will not point weapons at you." The Shampoo leading them to the large hut was not the Shampoo either Ranma or Akane remembered. They remembered what a westerner would call a classic cheerleader: air-headed, bubbly, always happy... and clearly never bothered by stray thoughts. A girl in every sense of the word. This Shampoo was no girl but rather an intelligent young woman. Where and when had the change occurred... or, had it? Maybe this was the real Shampoo? Or a mask put on for the village? Ranma and Akane followed Shampoo, and their fathers followed them... none of them entirely certain what to do or what was to come. "Look what the cat dragged in!" their "hostess" declared brightly as she opened the door to her home. It would be hard for anyone to say which group was the more surprised: those seated at the breakfast table or those coming in. Everyone blurted names, pretty much at about the same time, while Shampoo sat back and laughed, ushering the four Nerimans fully into the house. Fortunately, She Who Was No More had liked having guests, and there were several extra chairs. Shampoo gathered them up and saw that everyone was seated, then made another pot of tea. Finally, as the young Amazon finished pouring tea, the rambunctious group was settled... well, mostly. Tendo Soun was still crying, jabbering about his little girl not being dead. It took several hard slaps from Nabiki to get him to shut up. "So," Genma said, trying to sound impressive. "Why aren't you dead? We thought for sure the Old Ghoul would kill all three of you." Everyone stared at Genma for a little bit. Then eyes turned to Xian, who sighed and sipped at his tea. "The short answer," he began, voice weary, movements minimal, "is that the Neko-ken is just as invincible as you thought it was, Saotome-san. I am a... no, I am -the- Master of the Neko-ken." "-The- Master?" Ranma asked. "I thought that would be some old guy back at your temple?" "It... it is a long story, Ranma. The monks at the Wang-Mao-Yue temple are the ... caretakers of the Art, not its masters. They are there to remember the traditions and to train the one child born each generation who can master the Mao Fu. Others are taught, too, in the process of finding that one, and to the end of furthering the tradition. "But... as I was saying: I defeated She Who Is Gone." That was more than a little stunning. Shampoo and Nabiki had been there and seen it happen, and didn't quite believe it. And the rest... best not to mention it, even if they were specifically asked. "How?" demanded a very annoyed (and therefore very shrill) Ranma-chan. "What happened? -TELL-!" It was somewhat harmful to Ranma's dignity that Xian Mao, whom she could defeat easily, had somehow managed to defeat the woman who had so casually beaten her so many times. Then it clicked: *I defeated She Who Is Gone* Like the Japanese, the Chinese did not speak the names of the dead. Much more softly: " 'She who is gone?' You killed Col -- her?" With a sigh, Xian Mao began the tale... I arrived the morning after I left Nerima. I ... really do not remember much of the space in between. I was so upset, I lost control ... I only regained it a few hours outside of the village. It ... disturbed many of the other Elders, I believe, though I did not think of it at the time, that I could cover so great a distance so quickly without making enough noise for even one of them to hear. She Who Has Left was merely excited. I challenged her, and she greeted the challenge with such great enthusiasm that disturbed a few of the tribe more than my arrival did. We began as the sun began to set, and it was over before full dark. I had invoked the fullest power of the Cat Fist, and while the victory was not easy, it was hardly a challenge. At least, the fight with -her- was hardly a challenge, the fight with myself was significant... I understand, now, Ranma, what you go through fighting off the "Cat Fist" when it comes on you. I wanted to toy with her, like a mouse; that, or shred her flesh for taking the girls. Turns out it was harder than I thought at the time. I destroyed her, in the end, casting her body towards the Springs. Then I collapsed, and did not awaken for three days. She'd broken one of my ribs, and I was covered in bruises... I was also utterly drained, both from using the Cat Fist and from deflecting her Chi attacks. That was two and a half weeks ago... I still have trouble walking. Xian Mao collapsed back into his chair. He found the lies distasteful, but knew the necessity better, even, than Shampoo or Nabiki. His true Nature--which he had only just grasped--was not something he was ready to unleash upon the world, and he doubted that even his friends could grasp it. Shampoo gave him a sympathetic look and poured him another cup of tea. "So," said Nabiki, changing the subject, "how did you guys get here?" Ranma shrugged, and said, "We walked." "We took a plane to Beijing, but we couldn't afford tickets any further, so we had to hitchhike and walk from there." "Ah, quit whinin' Akane. I went through worse with Pops." "Well, I'm sorry if I'm just not as tough as you are Ranma!" "I was ten! Quit whinin'!" Amazingly enough, that shut Akane up. "Ten?" Genma nodded. "A fine training mission, that. I took the boy up to the top of Fuji-san, and made him run all the way down the slope, and then back up without stopping. Then I decided that that wasn't tough enough, so I made him do it again... through the forest, instead of on the path." Soun nodded. "Ah... you remember when the Master made us do that, Tendo?" "Of course I do, Saotome. Every day for weeks. Wasn't that the life, Saotome?" "Indeed it was, Tendo, indeed it was." Ranma sighed. Akane facefaulted. Nabiki shook her head. Shampoo rolled her eyes. Xian buried his face in his hands. "" "" "So, Daddy, just how much money -did- you spend getting here?" Bigsweats all around. As the companions drank tea quietly (for them) in the hut that had been the Lost Elder's, another meeting was taking place. In the Hall of the Council, the Council of Elders huddled around their large, wooden table, talking in harsh whispers... almost as if to try to keep secret even from themselves what must be kept from the rest of the tribe. "Now that the Gaki has fallen," the eldest among them stated harshly, "things will begin to change." Though each of the ancient women had despised Khu Lon with a bitter passion, not one of them had failed to fear or respect her power. When the People's Army had come, it had been Khu Lon who had led the warriors to destroy them from within. When youngsters had questioned the honor of the raiding party's tactics, Khu Lon had used a weapon taken from the Outsiders: a pistol, shooting one of the youth's leaders in the arm. "They are Outsiders, who live without honor. Why should they die with any?" she had said. The youth had been quelled, but it had been Khu Lon, alone, who'd been able to control them. Only Khu Lon's heirs and students had remained loyal, while the other Elder's progeny and proteges had died or been slain or turned traitor. When the weak--particularly the males--had begun to leave, it had been Khu Lon and hers who had held the strongest in the village... and who cared about the weak? But Khu Lon had been vicious in ways that not even others of the Council could be, and in time the situation had come to -require- that viciousness to maintain the status quo. "Yes," hissed the Second Head. She would have been Head, herself, had her body not aged so poorly. She was more shriveled, even, than Khu Lon--"the Gaki"--had been. "Things will change. Perhaps it is time." "Past time," stated the Council's youngest member. Youngest, at a hundred and eighty. "But it must be us that dictates the changes. Us, and no others," declared the Head. "And if we are to dictate the changes, we must remove those who might do so, themselves." "The Gaki's Heir," snarled the eldest. "Her, and her Outsider friends," agreed the Head. "I fear you miss the point," stated one of the council, and all heads turned toward her. "It is not they who must go, but he of Wang-Mao-Yue. Xian Pu cares as little for politics and governing now as she did before that infamous Tournament... perhaps less. Of all the Outsiders, only the girl She Who Is Gone kidnapped is a potential threat... she has much the same bearing as the Gaki did in her youth: 'all the world is mine, it just doesn't know it yet'." "And yet you say they are no threat?" "And how are we to be rid of him? He who slew the Gaki?" "And what do you suggest, then? The council member smiled. "They are no threat because they do not care to be one. They do not know or care -how- to be one. And I suggest that we get rid of him by getting rid of them all." The Head gave her a caustic look. "If you had nothing to contribute, then why did you speak?" "Because it is best to have the truest intention in mind, even when the course is the same," she said, paraphrasing one of the Great Matriarchs. The others nodded. Old truths were strong truths. Note: A Gaki is, if I have my mythology right, a form of Chinese undead. They are the souls of those who are greedy and gluttonous in life, damned to a barren wasteland of a Hell, where they eat forever, but never slacken their inhumanly vast hunger, and never die of starvation... sometimes, they get out. "Gaki" is fairly similar in concept to some forms of the western "Ghoul" (except incredibly more powerful), and I thought it would be a nifty cultural adaptation.