Ranma 1/2

Disclaimer: I don’t own Ranma, Rumiko Takahashi does. I just borrowed some of the characters. Rated: NC-17

Shades of Home

Chapter 17

When they got to the bottom of the mountain, the other teens were waiting for them with drinks and towels. That's when Ryouga's luck changed.

They were all hot and sweating. Sunny handed Ranma a bottle of water and a towel. "Here dry off and hydrate; I don't want you getting sick." She proceeded to pour another bottle of water over Ranma's head.

Suddenly, "Hey, what the hell! Squeeeee!" Someone had poured a draft of cold water over Ryouga.

Ranma pushed his way through the staring, milling men and picked Ryouga up.

"Shit! I thought you were going to tell Steven about this and get him to do something . . . stop that."

Ryouga had bitten the finger Ranma was pointing at him.

Leela stood and stared at Ryouga for all of two minutes. "Oh, my! Look at him! Isn't he just the cutest thing? Let me hold him." Reaching out Leela took Ryouga from Ranma. "Don't worry we'll fix it. Sunny and her mother can figure out something."

Ryouga struggled to be put down. This was so embarrassing. He didn't want to be cute. He wanted to be a man; not a piglet.

Ranma picked him back up and caught up to Steven.

"Excuse me! I hate to dump this on you now. But this is Ryouga; he's got a curse too. Can you do something about it?"

As he was talking Ranma threw a towel over Ryouga and dumped some stale tea water over him. It was hot enough to do the job. Ryouga changed back and stood up wrapping the towel around his waist.

Hanging his head he said, "I'll pack my stuff and be going as soon as I can. Sorry."

"Pack? That's stupid! I told you to talk to Steven. You dummy!"

Steven watched as Ranma and Ryouga got into it.

"Why would they want me? I change into a pig; no, a damn piglet! What happens if it starts to rain while we're on a mission? I should have known better!"

"You're stupid! If they did something for me. They can help you!"

"How?"

"I don't know!"

"Idiot!!"

"Moron!"

"Fat head!!"

"P-chan!"

"Neko . . . "

"ENOUGH!! Stop it! Now!" Steven used his drill sergeant voice; the one no one ignored. "My office, now! Sunny, you too, please."

.

In Steven's office he threw a little fit of his own. "I'm ashamed of you both. Fighting like a couple of children. Ryouga, how did you think you were going to hide this from us? We can take care of this. Sunny, if you'd take a look?"

Sunny ran her hands over Ryouga. "It's a plain Jusenkyo; we learned how to convert it from working on Ranma. It won't be difficult. Ranma, will you help?"

"Me? How can I help?" Ranma was already over being mad at Ryouga. "Oh, and if ya think you're gonna crap out on me, you've got another think comin'."

Ryouga just hung his head. Leela thought he was cute. Ugh!

Ranma watched Ryouga as he seemed to drift off somewhere. "Ryu, we're gonna paint ya purple; hang ya from the rafters and flay ya alive."

"Uh. Ok, what ever."

"Hibiki! Wake up, damnit. Pay attention! Worry about Leela later, right now worry about what's at hand."

How Ranma knew exactly what Ryouga was thinking was beyond Steven and Sunny but he seemed to get Ryougas attention. Mostly by slapping him on the back of the head, hard.

Ryouga got himself back together {Pay attention, stupid, the rest of your life is riding on this} "Ranma I hate t' do this t' ya; but I got P-chan out a' the way, whether I like it or not, but you have t' . . .

"Yeah, Neko-kun, we'll handle it together, both of our problems. But let's take care a' you first. All I have t' do is stay away from cats."

Sunny just grabbed both boys by an arm and dragged them to the lab.

.

"No whining, Ryouga, I'm not going to violate rules just because you don't like them."

Ryouga was violently protesting being strapped down. He wasn't too happy about how fast things were moving but Ranma was holding him down while Sunny buckled the straps.

"Damnit, I'm not dangerous. How dangerous do ya think a ten-pound piglet can be?"

"Yeah, and where does the other hundred and some pounds of ya go, I'd like t' know. Ya look worn out every time ya change. I don't like the thought a' havin' all that weight drop out a' the sky while Sunny's workin' on ya. The Laws a' Conservation a' Mass and Energy can't be ignored forever."

Ryouga had wondered where the weight went to himself. But it was magic, which was it's own explanation.

Sunny put her hand over Ranmas mouth.

"Stop arguing. I've got to concentrate and I can't with you jabbering. Mom, look at this, he loses about a hundred and fifteen pounds when he converts into his other self."

Maa Yao ran her hands over Ryouga in much that same way Sunny had.

"HHmmmm! We could convert the curse to a wyerding. That would work and he wouldn't have to worry about changing unexpectedly. What do you think young man?"

"I don't know what t' think. What the hell is a wyerding?" Ryouga was getting more and more unhappy. He realized that he really hated being strapped down. It reminded him too much of the institution he had worked in. His depression had never gotten out of hand but there was always that specter hanging over his head. "Ranma, let me loose. I don't like this at all. And where the hell did ya learn about laws of physics?"

Ranma reached over and took Ryouga's hand.

"Sorry, Ryu; I'm not takin' any chances with Sunny or Yao-dono. Hang in there. I'm right by ya all the way."

Sunny reached over Ryouga and took Ranma by his other hand.

"Ranma, we need to use a lot of chi to do this. I don't want to wind up the way I did before. Can I use some of yours?"

"Sure. Whatever ya need. I don't know how t' give it t' ya though. What do I do?"

Ranma was willing to give Sunny anything she needed to help Ryouga. All either one had to do was ask.

"You don't need to do much, just open yourself and let me touch your chi. If you let me, I can just help myself."

"Hey! I still don't know what a wyreding is. What if I don't like it?"

Ryouga appreciated all this but he wasn't about to submit to something without explanation.

Maa Yao patted his shoulder. "Sorry. Ever watch horror movies? Werewolves do exist; more or less. Not the blood thirsty things from the movies . . . "

"Wait . . . Wait you're going to turn me into a werewolf? How can you do that?"

"No! Not a wolf; a boar." Sunny huffed impatiently how could they turn him into a wolf when he was a pig? "A wereboar. I think we should anchor to the dark of the moon instead of a full moon; don't you, Mom?"

"Yeah, that would be more covenant. I think you won't have too many missions in the dark moon. Shall we get started? Ranma, stand here between Sunny and me. Ryouga, stop fussing! We'll be done in a minute."

Ranma backed up, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Slow down. You're going way too fast. What if Ryu doesn't want to be a wyerdin . . . what you said. What are his other options?"

Ryouga couldn't believe Ranma was standing up for him like this. But then why not? He was his friend and commanding officer. It was his duty to take up for him.

"Ranma, it's ok. I think. Just give me a minute to think things over." Ryouga lay still for a minute. "If I don't do this, what are my other options?"

Sunny looked sad.

"You'll be able to stay here, of course; but no missions. It's too dangerous. You could change at the wrong time . . . "

"I know that! Don't you think I haven't stayed awake at night worrying about it? Let's do this before I chicken out!"

Ranma looked at Ryouga, but he seemed determined, so he gave his hands to Sunny and her Mother. It didn't take long. Ranma felt a funny pull but let himself go; letting Sunny drain his chi.

It was really amazing that nothing more happened than what did. Sunny pulled her chi and her mothers and pushed it into Ryouga. He began to glow, then Ranma felt the pull of her using his chi. After that nothing.

"That's all? That's it? No fireworks or anything?"

Ranma and Ryouga were both let down. They had expected more.

"Nope, that's all there is. He's a wereboar now. The three nights of the dark moon he'll turn into a hundred and someodd pound boar. I think we're lucky he didn't turn while we were working on him."

"I don't believe it." Ryouga; ever somewhat over emotional, started to cry. "Get me off this table please."

Ranma grabbed the straps, but he was tired from Sunny and Maa using his chi, so he fumbled them.

"Damnit! Come off." Ranma gave the strap around Ryougas right wrist a jerk. It broke with some help from Ryouga yanking on it too; so the boys proceeded to snap the three other restraints and head for the door.

"Here, it's clean. You need it more than I do." Ranma handed Ryouga his bandanna back. "Come on. Let's go back home to the dorm. I need a shower and so do you. Or would you rather go to the bath house and have a soak."

Ryouga wiped his eyes. "Dorm and shower I think. Ranma, what the hell am I gonna tell Leela. She thinks I'm cute. Dammit!"

"No, she thinks P-chan is cute. If you tell her the truth; including the fact that you hate P-chan and he's gone, it'll work out or it isn't intended to." Ranma pulled his pigtail until his head hurt. This was either going to fix everything or Ryouga was going to be hurt bad.

.

The minute they staggered into the commons Leela jumped them. Hugging Ryouga she kissed him on the cheek

"Sorry, Ryouga, I didn't know that would hurt you. How did you ever get into such a mess? I looked all over for you after I got over being shocked. Please don't be mad at me. I'll get Sunny to fix it somehow. I promise."

Ryouga just about collapsed.

"Leela, let me sit down. I'm tirder than I thought I'd be. Here, Ran-chan, sit down before you fall down. I wonder where Sunny is?"

Shuba walked in and sat in his favorite chair.

"Want to wait until everyone is here or should I report now and fill everyone else in later?" Shuba got a good look at the two teens and decided to make a quick report to them and get them to bed. They both looked bad.

"Sunny is in bed at the clinic. She's just tired from the conversion, so don't head back Ranma."

"Leela, it was a Jusenkyo curse. But they converted it into a wyerding. He's going to turn into a boar at the dark of the moon. Ryouga don't be mad at Leela. She's an idiot when it comes to animals. But enough of this. I think that both of you need to take a nap."

Ranma resisted laying down in what he considered practically the middle of the day; as did Ryouga, but Shuba managed to get them to lie down in the commons. Ranma on the floor and Ryouga on the couch. It took them all of two minutes to fall asleep.

~ * ~
Vingette

"Dorrie did you ever get a report on this Neko-kun thing."

"Yeah boss and I don't like it a bit. My report says it's animalistic; split personality thing. Survival paramount. I don't think he's fully in control of it or he would be able to use it at will; so he's hiding it. It's all emotion; no reason. I think he's afraid we'll lock him up or send him away if we find out. We'll have to corner Ranma tomorrow and get all the facts."

~ * ~

All the teens spent the rest of the day lounging around or studying. That was one of the benefits of going to a boarding school for "special" children; you could do pretty much anything you wanted to do if you kept up homework and didn't blow anything up. In the case of this school you were sometimes encouraged to blow things up.

"Dorrie, have you seen Ranma? I want to pin him down about Neko-kun."

Steven rubbed his head wearily. Things weren't going well in the outside world. Rifts were beginning to appear and the local government in one place wasn't giving out any information. The Rift nearest the Compound was being handled very well but the one in China {I hate China} was being hidden to save face.

"No, Boss, I haven't seen him. He was down to breakfast, trained; then he disappeared. He hasn't left the Compound, so I'll run him down soon. Do you want him here or go to him?"

Doris could find a pin anywhere in the Compound within minutes.

"I'll go to him. He may be hiding out."

Steven wasn't looking forward to this at all. He knew that Ranma was proud and probably wouldn't appreciate interference, but they needed to get this out in the open. What was wrong with the Neko-kun? Ranma didn't use the attack. It was very powerful, so something was going on if Ranma didn't train in it.

"Find Ryouga for me first."

.

Ranma approached Supply Sergeant Samuels first, "I need something and I don't know how to get it, so I decided to ask you."

"Sure, Saotome-sama, what can I do for you?" Sergeant Samuels leaned over the counter and handed Ranma a can of soda. "Here, take a slug off that and tell ol' Sarg what he can do."

Ranma drank the soda in a few nervous gulps.

"Um! You'll think I'm weird. Ya laugh and . . . "

Ranma was sure the sergeant would make fun of him.

"Naw, I saw ya yesterday. I don't care what ya want; I'll help ya get it . . . unless it's a woman, that's out." Sergeant Samuels realized that his joke had gone over Ranmas head. "Never mind. What cha want?"

A few minutes later Ranma was in a machine shop with a Machinist looking at him with a slightly dazed expression on his face.

"Ok, chains that will hold you. Fine. I've got a set of transport shackles here. They needed a spot wield. They ought to do." The man reached over to a work bench and handed the chains to Ranma.

Ranma looked at them for a minute. "Sorry, I know ya just fixed ‘em but I don't think ya understand. I'm one a' the Brat Pack and these won't do."

At the mans skeptical look, he just gave them a hard jerk and snapped them.

"Son of a bitch. I don't believe I just saw that. Those chains would hold a grown man."

"I'm not a grown man." Ranma got a very funny look on his face all of a sudden. {What am I going to be like when I'm full grown?} "I need to find something that will hold me. Wha'da ya have?"

"Nothing."

The gathered men of the Fabrication Department were giving him some very odd looks. "Kid, if this is some kind of joke or something . . . "

"No, it's not a joke and I'm not some kind a' hentai. I need t' work on an attack and it's so dangerous I could wind up hurtin' someone if I'm not restrained until I get it right. So what can ya do for me?"

"Un . . . Your English is really good; but my Japanese sucks. What the hell is a hentai?"

The man turned to lead Ranma toward a rack of spools containing different kinds of chain.

"Thanks. I learned from one a' my Sensai . . . teachers . . . and a hentai; it's Japanese for pervert. I'm not a pervert. I hate bein' chained up; but if this experiment goes wrong I don't wanna be responsible for what could happen."

"Sounds serious. I . . . hummmm . . . here try this chain" The man handed Ranma a length of chain saying, "This is Grade 80 half inch tow chain. Has a working load of 12,000 lb. It's gonna be heavy at 2.6 lb. per foot. How do you want to do this? We can fasten it to the anchor with a three-inch Pin shackle. But how are we going to get it on you? That chain is thick."

Ranma pulled on the chain.

"I'm not sure this is gonna hold me if I hit it hard enough. And I think I need to be completely restrained. Arms and legs. I've got a hell of a kick. I could smash someone easily."

"Damnit, Saotome. There's no way to put these on ya except to machine cuffs. We can do it, but I don't like it one bit. I think you're crazy to want to be chained up."

Ranma sighed, "I hate the idea a' bein' helpless; but ya don't understand. I got problems ya have no idea a' and I'm too strong t' take chances. I could end up killin' someone if this gets out a' control. I hate being out a' control more that I hate bein' chained."

Steven walked in just then and heard the last of Ranma's remarks.

"Hey, Joe, wha'da ya know?" The old joke brought the same smile it always had.

"Not a damn thing new. Ya know this kid? Have any idea what he's up to?"

Joe grinned at Steven. He'd sort this mess out.

"Yeah, I know Ranma. Whatever he wants he gets. If he wants restraints, just makes sure they'd hold me. He's even stronger and he's just about the best martial artist we've got. So cater to him, will you?"

Joe wasn't happy but he got to work. He measured Ranmas wrists and ankles and wrote down numbers mumbling to himself. "Crazy, they're all crazy."

"Come back late this afternoon and I'll have something. I'll have to pad them . . . "

Joe was writing something down with his head bent over his clip board but jerked his head up when Ranma interrupted.

"No paddin'. It might make the cuffs too loose."

Ranma looked scared. He couldn't imagine what might happen if he got loose; it scared him spitless.

"Ok, Ok. No padding." Joe scratched something out and wrote again. "You're a glutton for punishment, if you ask me."

Tired of repeating himself and arguing Ranma got snotty. "Well, I didn't ask ya. So just do it my way, will ya. I'd rather not wind up killin' someone just so I don't get a few bruises. Thank you very much."

Ranma walked away followed by Steven who put his hand on Ranmas arm.

"I've been hunting all over for you. We need to talk about this Neko-kun. What's going on with this? You look like you're scared."

Ranma sighed. "I've never been able to call the Neko-kun when I wanna. I have t' have a cat shoved in my face and then it's a real fiasco. What? I know big words. Especially in English; my Sensai in Hong Kong insisted I learn. A' course Pop thought it was a waste a' time so I insisted too. I'm a perverse little shit when I wanna be."

Steven gave Ranma a sour look snarling, "Please, don't tell me your Pop found that old book on the Neko-Kun that recommended throwing the . . . Oh, yeah, he did. That stupid son of a bitch. Well, how bad is it."

"I have a screamin' panic attack, then, when the fear gets too much, I kinda turn into a cat. I think I am one. It's dangerous. If I don't get calmed down, I might turn on someone and hurt ‘em. Especially now with all the other stuff . . . you know. Ryouga has some ideas on how to cure it but it requires desensitization trainin' and I don't intend t' let it get out a' hand."

"Ok, Ranma, I understand. I don't like it but I respect your wishes. We'll see to it that all arrangements are made. I don't want you worrying about it until it's time. You're supposed to be in class right now."

Steven wanted to distract Ranma from what he was going to do; even if it was only for a while. It wouldn't do for Ranma to brood to much.

"Yeah, I know. I really appreciate ya arranging for us t' test out a' as many classes as we can. It's gonna take a real load off a' most a' them. They need t' learn so much new stuff. We all are gonna be usin' the newest and best military equipment we can get our hands on. So we need t' be trained with it, so we use it right. You older guys are used t' it but we aren't and I don't want any screwups with my crew."

"You're a good commander. Get to class."

Steven couldn't help but wish that there had been more like Ranma around when he'd first started. More of his friends might be alive now.

.

Ranma walked into class more than half way through.

"Sorry I'm late. I had somethin' t' take care a'. It was important to . . . "

The teacher just nodded at Ranma and pointed to a chair.

"Sit down. Do you know what we're doing here today?"

"Haven't the slightest idea. Fill me in, why don'cha."

Ranma only knew that this was part of the process which would relieve his team members of an unnecessarily heavy work load.

All of them were very intelligent and were ahead of themselves in school so retaking classes they already knew was a waste of time; a resource which could be put to better use. There was so much they didn't know.

"I'm going to start at the beginning so you understand where all this comes from. Headmaster Campbell has arranged for all of you to take standardized tests; these tests aren't levels tests. They are final tests; the same tests you would take if you had completed the curriculum. If you pass these tests, you won't have to continue to waste your time taking the class.

"There are some classes that you are required to take in order to be a well-rounded person; literature, art appreciation and music appreciation. But we have arranged for you to test out of even these classes if you can.

"So today we are testing music appreciation. If you can play an instrument at an acceptable level, you will test out. This assumes that you can read music. You are required to demonstrate an ability to sight-read music, play a piece from memory and to compose at least a simple tune.

"I'm sorry you missed the first part of the class. You missed some fine performances. Sunny-chan and Shuba-san sing divinely, Kuno-san, Danny-san and Leela-chan all play piano at a semi-professional level. We were just waiting for Ryouga to start when you walked in. If you would take your seat, we'll begin."

Ryouga walked up to the front of the room and lifted a shakuhachi to his lips. He played a piece that startled everyone; Fukai Mori, a beautiful piece and totally unexpected. After completing that piece he proceeded to compose, on the fly, a very nice piece based on Sakura. When the teacher placed a piece of sheet music in front of him he squinted slightly and then played his way through it acceptably but slowly.

"Well, that was good. I think you could use a little more work on sight reading but I'm going to pass you. Ranma do you play an instrument?"

Ranma shook his head and replied, "No, never got to take any lessons. Pop wouldn't let me. But I sing a little. I don't think I could compose a song, so I'm screwed there, but I can sight read better then Ryu."

"Do the best you can. Composition isn't necessary for a vocalist. I should have made that clear. But instead you have to sing acapella."

The teacher waited for Ranma to ask any questions.

"Ryouga would you play Fukai Mori again?"

Ryouga nodded and at Ranmas gesture he began to play. Ranma had a surprisingly good tenor voice. Smooth and velvety, his control was; as could be expected of Ranma; excellent.

When he was finished, the teacher smiled.

"Passed with flying colors. Here is the sheet music. Perhaps Kuno-san would accompany you."

Ranma looked at the music. It was a folk song. He'd never seen this one before but the type was familiar to him; he'd sung similar songs since he could remember. "I think I can sing this a capella. We could cross off both requirements at once." Ranma sang the piece through twice and sat down to applause.

"Well, I'm glad to see that everyone has passed. That's three hours a week you don't have to waste on this." The teacher looked at their faces; they all looked a little shocked that he would call his class a waste. "I'm well aware that you need to spend time training with Special Ops equipment. I'd hate to think that one of you got hurt because you were improperly trained. Music is nice, but surviving combat is nicer."

He gathered up his papers stuffed them in his case and left smiling.

"Wow! Ranma I didn't know you could sing."

Ryouga poked Ranma in the ribs.

"What? Ya think I'm a completely uncultured knuckle head? Don't answer that!!"

Ranma poked him back.