Of Curses and Rebirth

The shapely red head sat on the roof of the Japanese home in silence, watching the sun set. It was quiet today; no fighting, no training, and no trouble with suitors, just quiet. It was rare, and she savored it all the more because of it.

Long ago the peace and quiet would have driven her to look for trouble. A fight with her traveling companions or a quest to throw her self in, anything to keep busy. She had been a fool. A powerful fool, but a fool none the less.

"Who says wisdom comes with age?" she mused.

"Ranma, diner is ready."

"Coming Kasumi!" the red head called as she stood up. A splash of hot water over her hands and she was once again Ranma Soutome, heir of the Soutome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. The name made her smile; Ranma, meaning wild or chaos. A good choice given her past adventures.

As she was about to jump from the roof to the back yard below, she felt a familiar presence. "Any luck," she asked the shriveled old man behind her.

"Yes, actually. You were right, it is in the Kuno volt. I could get it for you if you want, L-"

"No, that won't be necessary," Ranma said cutting him off. "Just keep an eye on it. If Kuno takes it out, let me know. It should happen soon." She turned and looked at the horizon. "We might as well do it now. Try not to enjoy it TO much, you fruitcake."

"Are you kidding? If I start to enjoy doing this do you know what She will do to me?"

"Ya got a point."

He nodded and pushed her off the roof into the koi pond, triggering the Jensinko curse turning Ranma into a physical woman again. He then sprang forward, grabbing her chest in apparent lecherous glee. Ranma took a deep breath and shouted, "Ya old freak! Get off me!"

A quick fight, where Ranma 'beet' up Hopposie, and Ranma went to dinner. The meal went as usual, with Ranma and Genma fighting over every bit of food, and the inevitable fight between Ranma and Akane. Hopposie smiled at how much Akane took after his beloved in the temper department, while Kasumi was the embodiment of her serene priestess calm, and Nabiki was so much like him it was almost frightening! He couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring!

At dawn Ranma was training with her father as usual. They exchanged blows as was normal, and Ranma dumped her father into the koi pond. Then with a grin Ranma bound inside to have dinner. To any who knew Ranma all seemed well with the pigtailed warrior, but in truth, she was very troubled. The dark forces she had been able to feel from the time of birth, or more accurately, rebirth, were becoming more powerful. They had a year, two at the most, before fighting began.

Summer vacation would start in a few days. She had that long to convince Kuno and Kodachi to come with her to the Island for special training. The question was, how to do it? She pondered this as she and Akane walked to school. Kuno was oblivious to the truth of her existence, but not in the same way as the others. He believed Ranma to be a 'Vile Sorcerer' who had enslaved both Akane and his 'Pigtailed kettle Girl'.

If he only knew. The thought of marring Akane Tendo or any of his fiancés made her skin crawl. There was only one for this child of chaos, and he had yet to awaken, let alone acknowledge her feelings for him.

But who knew, maybe she could use Kuno's beliefs to her advantage…

That was it! A plan quickly formed in her head, and she began to map out what she would tell the delusional kendoist.

At lunch, Ranma, in girl form, went to talk to Kuno.

"Kuno-sempai? May I talk to you in privet? It is very important, and I don't want anyone to over hear."

"Of course, Pigtailed girl. Where to?"

Ranma led Kuno to a neat bye field, and sat down on the soft grass. She waited for Kuno to sit across from her before beginning the tail she had concocted.

"Kuno-sempai, I don't know if you know this, but I'm an orphan. I lost the last of my family long ago in a terrible accident," she said slowly. Gotta keep it close to the truth. "I… was hurt in the same accident," talk about your understatements. "And lost my memories. They've been slowly coming back, especially lately. But there are still big gaps in my past."

"Oh my most beautiful of loves. You have no fear! I shall date you even if you are not whole!"

"I… appreciate that Kuno-sempai. But what if I am honor bound to wed another? And simply do not remember it? But there is a way for me to regain my past, and move on with my life, I must find it."

"Tell me, fair one. So that I might aid thee in thy quest!"

"There is an Island, off the east-coast of northern Africa. It is not on any map save one that I discovered in my search for my past. I know the answers and information I seek is there. Will you and your sister accompany me?"

"I yes. But I do not believe my sister would be a good choice."

"Oh Kuno-sempai, the reason she hates me so, is because she believes that I and Ranma are together. But if I can gain my past, than Ranma and I will never be a couple."

She looked at him with big hope filled eyes, praying he bot it. For the most part she had been truthful. Her past and her Neechan and parents had been lost to her in an accident, one that had happened 3,000 years ago, ending in her death. Being reborn in a male body, she had lost many of her memories and lay dormant until the Neko Fu training when Ranma was ten. But if this worked, all would be set right.

With a nod, Kuno agreed to help her reach the Island, devoting all of his resources to the task.