Cat Fist Fury
This story was inspired from another fan fiction I read called Cat Scratch fever. Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
: Thoughts
Chapter One
Transformation
"Please Pop! Don't put me down there again!" Ranma Saotome cried as he was being forcibly shoved toward a deep pit. His body was wrapped in fish sausage.
"Ranma! Quit your whining!" Genma scolded as he prepared to shove his six-year old son into the pit. "A true martial artist must suffer for his art! Now get in there!"
Ranma screamed in horror and pain as he dropped into the shadows. An instant later, the sound of a hundred hungry cats were emitted from the pit, followed by the sounds of clothes and flesh being ripped apart.
While this was going on, Genma smiled to himself. Soon, the dreaded Cat Fist Technique will be ours!
A few minutes later, the sounds died down and there came a foreboding silence. Genma wondered what had happened and began to approach the edge of the pit. Suddenly, there was a loud screech, followed by a whoosh of air as something launched itself upward from the hole. Genma only had enough time to scream as a small blur was suddenly upon him and was dealing out immense measures of pain.
However, this would not be the only time Genma Saotome would regret forcing his son to learn the Cat Fist.
Nine years later…
"Here sirs! We come to famous training ground of Cursed Springs, Jusenkyo!" The guide announced proudly.
Ranma and his father looked about the landscape of the small valley. It had taken them many months to find this place. The search was made more difficult, since Genma had not even bothered to learn to speak Chinese before they set out for China.
Now the two of them were staring at a place that was nothing but various pools of water with bamboo poles sticking out of them.
This was what they had suffered to find? What a letdown, and total waste of time!
"Aw man! This place isn't as bad as I thought it might be!" Ranma commented as he set down his pack next to his father's. "Not like that Cat Fist training!" He added as he glared at Genma.
The fat martial artist shuddered as he remembered that incident. It had taken him six weeks to recover from the mauling that he had received from his son, driven mad by the Neko Ken.
He admitted that training his son in the technique had not been one of his better ideas. Putting those thoughts aside, he leapt to a perch on one of the poles. "Let's not dwell on the past okay? Now follow me!"
Ranma followed suit as he took up a position opposite to his father. They then began leaping about, trading blows while maintaining their balance. At this time, the Guide was frantically trying to get their attention. "No sirs! Very bad you fall in springs!"
It wasn't long before one of them took a tumble. Genma found himself landing in a pool after being kicked by his son. As he made a big splash, Ranma landed on a pole to his right.
At this point in time, the Cosmic Wheel of Fate decided to alter the course of time from what was intended to be. In another life, Ranma would stay perched on the pole awaiting for his father to emerge from the spring. In this reality however, he decided to jump to another pole in order to get a closer look at the place where his father had landed in. Behind him was a spring that was large and seemed extremely old. The rocks on its banks were covered in moss and several of its poles were all but rotted through.
Just as Ranma landed on his perch, a huge panda erupted from the surface of the pool Genma had fallen into. The boy's eyes widened with shock as he stared at the animal. His mind barely registered the Guide's words about a panda drowning in that spring two thousand years ago, when it suddenly leapt forward and knocked him backward and into the spring behind him.
Unlike Genma, Ranma did not immediately emerge from the spring in his cursed form. The panda and the guide stared at the spring as they waited for the boy to emerge. Suddenly, the water became to steam and soon came to a boil. Both men were confused as to what was happening. Before either one could even contemplate what was going on, the spring exploded as if someone had tossed a bomb into it.
The panda was knocked off his perch by the force of the explosion. Fortunately, he had landed near where the guide was and not in another cursed spring. The two were sprawled on their backs as the dust kicked up from the explosion died down. Getting back on their feet, they saw that the spring had been completely obliterated. In its place was a deep ditch. Then… it happened.
Genma's fur was put on end and the guide's skin became riddled with goose bumps as they heard a blood-curdling roar come from the hole. A huge black blur leapt up from the pit, causing the father of Ranma Saotome to have a feeling of déjà vu.
When it landed on all fours in front of them, their blood ran cold.
The beast was roughly the size of a Buick. Its body was sleek, yet powerfully built. Its fur was the darkest ebony. Its mouth snarled, exposing an impressive set of razor sharp teeth, which complimented the two huge canines in front. Its wide paws splayed out, revealing very wicked-looking claws. Its green eyes flashed with a deadly gleam, promising intense pain. Death, when it came to its prey, would be bloody and most gruesome.
Looking at the huge saber-toothed tiger, the Guide swallowed and said, "Oh no! He was in Spring of Drowned Monster Tiger! There very not-so-much tragic legend of giant tiger that drown there 20, 000 year ago! Now…"
The guide's words were left unfinished as Ranma let off another thunderous roar that caused the nearby poles to quiver. It glared with blood in its eyes at Genma. That was all the incentive the guide needed for his survival instincts to kick in. Grabbing Genma by the paw he began to bolt for his hut. This was no simple task as his customer was now 600 pounds of black-and-white fur.
"RUN SIR! RUN! RUN! RUN!"
"Growf?"
"No time to explain! Must get hot water!"
Ranma let off a snarl as he began to give chase. His new feline form moved with incredible speed as he leapt each of the pools with ease. To him, it was like skipping around puddles after a rainstorm. In a mere heartbeat, he almost caught up with the source of all his troubles, past, present and future.
The guide and his father were inside the hut and bolting the door, but this proved to be no barrier to the transformed martial artist. Ranma smashed through the door as easily as if he was going through tissue paper. The entire structure nearly collapsed in on itself. When he got inside the hut, Genma was cowering against a wall and was trembling. Ranma could not see the guide anywhere, but didn't care. Getting down low and baring his claws, Ranma prepared to pounce on his father.
Ranma! Don't! I'm your father!
The panda's expression turned from fear to surprise as he felt something hot pour down his head. He let off a surprised yelp and then discovered himself back in his human form. When he looked up, he saw the guide standing between himself and his son, holding a kettle of water in one trembling hand.
"N-no worry sir! Hot water change back to normal, just like father! Please calm down!"
Ranma was sorely tempted to tear into Genma anyway, but after a long moment of silence, relented and sat on his haunches. The guide then stepped forward and poured the water. The steamy liquid ran down the big cat's head and… nothing happened.
The guide became puzzled at this then repeated the process. Still nothing happened.
"W-what is wrong? Young sir no change back!" The guide then proceeded to dump the entire contents of the kettle, which caused a low and menacing growl. The guide's fear came back as he edged away from the tiger. "Oh no! Hot water no work! Young sir still is monster tiger!"
Ranma's eyes widened as the realization sank in. He glanced to a mirror that was hanging on a wall. The image reflected back at him was that of a black saber-toothed tiger. His eyes regained their red fury as he glared back at Genma. In his current state of mind was only one thought…
OYAJI! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!
The fat martial artist's expression took on a pure white look as his son resumed his pouncing position and bared his claws.
Genma found himself frozen on the spot as he saw that his son was beyond all reason. With a final desperate plea, he said, "P-Please Ranma! I'm… your father!"
Ranma let off a roar that made the entire hut tremble as he launched himself forward. Genma shut his eyes and waited for the end.
It never came. Instead, he heard a loud crash behind him as the wall gave way. Opening his eyes, he saw a huge gaping hole beside him. Cautiously, he looked outside and saw a small black dot running toward some mountains over the horizon. As the dot disappeared, Genma had a sinking feeling that things were going to get a lot worse. But as the black dot vanished with the setting sun, Genma's resolve hardened, as well as his fear of what would happen should his wife find out what had happened to their only child.
"We have to after him!"
"Oh no sir! You is crazy?! Is not very good for customer to go after angry tiger now! Many, many wild animals come out at night! Better to wait until morning! Take word for it! No worry about son! No one bother him when he like that!"
Genma shook his head as he realized that the guide was right. To go after Ranma while he was in that state would have been suicidal. It would be best to let the boy calm down. Besides, it would be a safe to assume that no other wild animals would dare challenge the boy in his present form. In any case, how hard would it be to find a saber-toothed tiger?
I have to get that boy back! He represents the future of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts! As soon as I find him and get him back to human, he still has to meet up with Tendo's daughters! I didn't spend nine years training that son of mine just to have him run off on me! He still has an obligation to carry on the Art! The fact that I get to retire and live in luxury for the rest of my life is just an added bonus that's all! After all I've done for him, I deserve that kind of reward, don't I?
To be continued…
Author's Notes
I decided to add just a bit more as I get back to writing this story.
The rewrite to this first chapter is relatively minor. I added that last bit to show just how shallow Genma is. We all know that he wants the engagement to the Tendos, because he sees it as a way for him to retire and use Ranma as an excuse to live off the dojo. Genma is a lazy, lying, greedy and very poor excuse for a human being and these characteristics will be what will ultimately cause Ranma to desert him. Nobody honestly believes that what he did to Ranma on his training journey was for his benefit, right?
Cat Fist Fury
Ranma 1/2 belongs to you-know-who and you know the rest.
: Thoughts
"": Chinese language
Chapter Two
A New Beginning
Ranma, the saber toothed tiger, ran through the forest that was
near the mountain cave where he had been living for the last two
weeks since his transformation. As he raced through the foliage,
his mind went back to the day in which he had become cursed. It
was not a day that he would not likely forget.
Two weeks ago?
After bolting from Jusenkyo in a fit of blind rage, Ranma ran
toward the mountains, not caring where he was going. All that
mattered was that his life as a human was over. He was now cursed
to spend the rest of his days as a savage beast.
It was already well past midnight when Ranma finally became
exhausted and took refuge in one of the many mountain caves that
were scattered about the area. As he laid himself down for the
night, his thoughts about Genma were dark ones. Stupid, stupid,
stupid old man! It's his fault I'm like this! Damn him! He just had
to find that training ground, even though he couldn't speak a word
of Chinese! It was bad enough that he put me through that Cat Fist!
But? Ranma's thoughts trailed off as he began to think about it.
Wait a second! If I'm a cat, then how come I'm not scared of
myself right now?
Ranma began to think about it for a while. After a long period
of thought, he came to a conclusion. Well I'll be damned! I
guess? when I became a cat, then my fear of cats must have been
totally erased! Now there's a twist! I guess I don't have to worry
about being afraid anymore. Then again?as a cat, that means I'll
never be able to go near humans again. I'll never see Mom again.
I'll?
Not caring that it was unmanly for him to shed tears (though he
wasn't a man at present) Ranma cried himself to sleep.
The present?
It had taken Ranma two weeks to finally accept that his life had
been irrevocably altered. During this period of adjustment, he had
decided to test the limits and abilities of his new form. Naturally,
Ranma had to hunt in order to survive. His feline form was
powerful enough to rip a tank open like a can of soda. His
strength, endurance, speed and reflexes were far greater than
before and his stamina was phenomenal. He found out he could
run at a top speed of 70 mph and unlike a cheetah, could maintain
it for hours. His senses were incredibly sensitive, especially
smell and hearing. He had also discovered that he had sharp night
vision and could detect heat emanations, no matter how faint. He
had also found out he had a kind of sixth sense. He wasn't sure
how it worked, but he could always feel when someone was
watching him or when danger was near.
The past two weeks had been exhilarating, to say the least.
Hunting for food helped take his mind off his present condition.
After a couple of days of squeamishness, Ranma soon developed a
taste for raw meat. Catching fish in the mountain streams was
easy, and he had already had eaten sushi before. And during this
time, Ranma had discovered something else. Freedom from his
father Genma. He could do what he wanted, and not have to worry
about that idiot trying to mess up his life anymore. No more
stupid training sessions. No more dragging him off to another
place and destroying any chance of making friends. Ranma was
eating better than he ever had living with him. Even though he
could no longer associate with people anymore, the thought of not
having to be with his father was something he could live with.
One week later?
Ranma had just caught himself a fat and juicy wild boar. The
chase had been short but intense as the pig had tried to fight when
he cornered it. Although it had very wicked looking tusks,
Ranma's teeth and claws made short work of it. As Ranma sat
down to dine, his ears perked up and his danger sense went off.
Something or someone was coming. As he sniffed the air around
him, he caught the distinctive scent of rare Chinese herbs. He also
picked up the unmistakable scent of humans. Not wanting to be
seen he abandoned his meal and hid himself among the rocks that
were on a ledge overlooking the spot where he had killed the boar.
He hunched down and peered from around a huge boulder.
Shampoo and her three friends were stealthily moving toward
the spot where they had heard the commotion. Their group had
picked up the sounds of some huge animal fighting a wild boar,
and they came to investigate. When they came to the site, they
found the remains of the boar and began looking around for what
had killed it. As they searched, Ranma observed them from his
hiding spot.
The girls appeared to around fifteen or so and were dressed in
elaborate clothes. Each girl carried a weapon and moved with
subtle grace. Obviously martial artists. He became especially
interested in the cute girl with purple hair, who seemed to radiate
confidence and power. She carried a pair of steel maces.
Ranma considered leaving the scene, but decided against it. He
was far too close to them, and they would likely detect any move
he made. He also noted that one of the Amazons carried a bow and
arrow. Although he had a very thick hide, he wasn't willing to find
out if he was arrow proof. He became extremely nervous as one
of the girls drew near to where he was hiding.
It was at that time that something crashed into the clearing. The
four girls turned their heads and saw something enter and let off a
roar. The Amazons backed off as they saw what it was.
The sight of a huge grizzly bear in China was a rare one.
Grizzlies were not native to this part of the world. This one
however, had just escaped from a traveling circus near Cloudgate
Pass. After weeks of being cooped up in a cage and forced to do
inane tricks, the bear had decided that enough was enough. After
crushing the skulls of a couple of the handlers during a
performance, the animal bolted from the circus and had made its
way to the Bayankala Mountains. Once it established its territory,
the bear was used this neck of the woods as its personal hunting
ground.
The female warriors readied their weapons to fend off the
beast. The bear lunged at the nearest one, just as she prepared her
sword for a slash. Unfortunately, as she stepped back, she tripped
over a rock that jutted out from the ground. She fell down on her
back and let out a yelp of pain. She had twisted her ankle. The girl
who had a bow and arrows was just about to loose her projectile at
the bear when a huge black blur streaked over their heads and
plowed into the grizzly, knocking him back against a tree. As the
Amazons stared in amazement, Ranma faced off against the bear.
The grizzly was estimated to be about 1000 pounds, compared
to Ranma's 1300. It charged at him with uncanny speed. Ranma
dogged the attack by sidestepping, then swiped at it with a paw.
The blow connected, sending the beast back another ten feet. As
the grizzly shook its head to clear it, Ranma crouched down low,
readying himself for the next attack. At this time, he did not
notice that his body was beginning to glow with a red light. The
Amazons noticed it though and their eyes widened even further.
The bear finally managed to compose itself and tried to lunge
at the saber tooth again. The transformed martial artist also
charged forward, while keeping low. He got below the bear's paws
and head-butted it back toward the same tree, this time toppling it.
As the tree feel backward, Ranma's aura began to glow even
brighter.
The bear got up and roared at its opponent. Ranma returned the
challenge with his own. He couldn't believe that the animal still
wanted to fight! His aura became crimson as he eyes lit up with
fury. Then they began glowing a solid red. With a sudden flare, his
eyes released twin beams of searing heat that struck to bear. The
grizzly howled in pain as a searing heat ripped through its body. In
less than nanosecond, the bear had been reduced to smoking
carcass.
Ranma stared in shock over what he had done. He couldn't have
believe what he had accomplished was even possible. The
expressions of the Amazons also mirrored his. Realizing that now
was not a good time to hang around, Ranma quickly swept up his
kill and bolted out of sight. He left the bear behind, as he was not
in the mood for barbecued meat.
Shampoo and her friends were still stunned as they watched the
giant tiger disappear from sight. The rumors had been true. For
weeks, there had been reports of a giant tiger that had been
roaming the forests. The purple-haired Amazon and her friends
had been out hunting this beast, hoping to bring back a trophy.
They were a bit skeptical to actually finding such a creature, but
now that they had laid eyes on it, all doubts had been cast aside.
The cat was not only real, but it had just saved Aloe's life and had
displayed an unusual power. Wait until Great-grandmother hears
about this! Shampoo thought as she went to join the others in
tending to Aloe's injuries.
Ranma sat in the cave and was deep in thought as he devoured
his meal. Just how did I do that? As he ate, Ranma began
replaying the events ever since he had been transformed. Okay.
Fact: I'm not afraid of cats anymore. Ranma had encountered
some tigers a couple of days ago and had not even felt the
slightest bit of fear. He then recalled what Genma had told him
about the Cat Fist.
Nine years ago?
"What is the Cat Fist?" A young Ranma asked.
"The Cat Fist is a powerful chi technique that allows a martial
artist to focus his inner energies to become as fast and as agile as
a cat!" Genma explained as he wrapped his son in fish sausage.
"Chi?"
"Yes. Chi is the energy that is generated by all living things. A
trained martial artist can focus his chi and use it to increase his
speed, strength, and even strike from a distance without touching
them! The Cat Fist is reputed to be one of the most powerful
techniques that utilizes chi!"
"So how does it work?"
"Like this!" With these words, Genma shoved Ranma into the
pit.
Present day?
Ranma shuddered at the memory. Although he hated his father
for forcing him to undergo the training, he then realized that what
he had done to the bear must have been some form of chi attack.
If that was the case, then I should be able to do it again. Let's
see?
Looking back at the remains of his dinner, Ranma stared at it
for a long time, trying to cause it to catch fire. For a long time, he
simply stared intensely at it. However, he couldn't even cause a
single spark. Finally giving up, he lay himself down for a nap.
Perhaps he could try again in the morning.
The next day, Ranma had decided to forgo his usual morning
run and sat in the cave meditating. He had often heard that
meditation helped a martial artist gain focus over his inner
energies. As he sat in silence, he began to feel a slight tingle that
went through his body. Opening his eyes, he saw a slight red aura
being emitted. He grinned. It was his battle aura. He had never
been able to generate any of it as a human, but in his feline form,
added to the Cat Fist training, must have been enough for him to
harness some of his chi.
If that's the case, then? Ranma looked back at the bones of
the boar he had eaten the previous night. He stared intently at the
remains, imagining it as the bear he had fought. He concentrated.
Harder and harder. But still nothing happened. He increased his
concentration, and noticed that his battle aura began to increase its
brightness. He then let off a roar as twin beams of hot chi energy
blasted forth and charred the bones to ashes.
Ranma looked in awe at what he had done. He had harnessed his
chi.
One month later?
The saber-toothed tiger that was once Ranma Saotome was
busy practicing stealth techniques as he moved deeper into the
forest. Despite his size, he had learned how to move with nary a
sound. This skill was especially useful in avoiding detection
during his hunting excursions. Ever since his encounter with the
Amazons, there had been many more hunting parties lurking about.
Despite his mastery over his new chi technique, Ranma had
decided not to fight these Amazons since they outnumbered him a
hundred to one, and he had no intention of becoming a trophy. It
seemed that longtooth necklaces, saber-toothed tiger rugs and
tigerskin clothes had become all the rage. He had eavesdropped on
several of the hunting groups and had become nauseous whenever
he heard the women talk about using his innards for stew and
various body parts for magic potions and talismans. On several
occasions, he had been chased up and down the mountains and
through the forests with hordes of fierce Amazons on his tail.
Most of the hunting groups would return with various bruises and
other injuries after failing to catch their elusive prey.
A fortnight after the first encounter in the Amazon village?
"So Shampoo, did you get the tiger this time?" Aloe
snickered as she greeted her fellow warrior. Shampoo's hunting
party was a sorry sight. They were badly bruised and their weapons
were either bent out of shape or broken. Their clothes were
tattered and nearly half of the Amazons were unable to stand on
their own. Those who could stand were being used to lean against
by those who couldn't. The most striking feature was that
everyone was soaking wet.
"Shut up Aloe! We almost had it!"
"Sure you did." Aloe said in a smug and sarcastic tone.
"Admit it! You came no closer to catching the beast than you did
the last time!"
"That cat is not natural I tell you!" Shampoo protested. "I
swear it doesn't act like a wild animal!"
"What makes you think so?"
Shampoo and Aloe turned to see the elder Cologne approach
them.
"Hello great-grandmother."
"So tell me Shampoo, why do you think this tiger is different?
I'll admit that long toothed cats are a rarity. Aside from what you
told me about it that first time, it shouldn't be any different than a
regular tiger."
"Great-grandmother, that tiger is just too cunning by half! It
keeps on avoiding Conditioner's best traps! It seems to know that
our livestock is off-limits! Today was a really bad day! We
thought we had it cornered near the mountainside near the
waterfall, but it somehow outsmarted us! I don't know how, but it
got away and?"
"You and your party ended up taking a trip down the
waterfall?" Cologne finished.
Shampoo's expression was dark as she nodded. "I'm not sure,
but I think that tiger was laughing at us!"
The present?
During this time, Ranma had also developed some new fighting
moves, based on what he had remembered from reading from the
Cat Fist manual. As a result, he had become even stronger and
faster than before. He had also become tougher. On one encounter
with the Amazons, he had been shot three times in the right flank
at a distance of fifty yards. However, the arrows simply bounced
off his hide with no damage whatsoever.
One night, as he was tearing into a deer, Ranma began to think
back over what he had accomplished since his transformation. He
had conquered his fear of cats, albeit by a drastic method. He had
learned to control his chi. He was faster, stronger and possessed
more power than he ever possibly dreamed of. He was free of
Genma and had complete control over his life. He should be
happy.
He wasn't though. With the Amazons continually hunting him,
he was reminded that they saw him as beast, and not as a human.
He could never even think to get close to anyone again. That
meant that he would never have a chance to see his mother. With a
tired sigh, he decided to put those thoughts away as he finished
eating his meal. After cleaning himself off, he decided to practice
focusing his inner energies some more.
On a whim, he decided to try something new. Focusing his chi
inward instead outward, Ranma began to build up power within
him, then redirect it into his body, rather than let it be emitted into
his surroundings. This effect caused him to feel a slight dizziness.
Shaking his head, he continued to build up power. The strain began
to build. After another five minutes, the process became
unbearable. His forehead was covered in sweat beads and he could
feel his body temperature rise. After ten more minutes, he
decided to end the experiment and tried to relax. That was when he
discovered that he couldn't.
The buildup of power continued, even though Ranma tried to
consciously will the process to stop. The power within him began
to swell and his body began to flare in pain. He let off a startled
roar as his power level suddenly jumped dramatically. He
desperately tried to regain his focus, but his body wouldn't listen.
Finally, it was too much for him to handle and he passed out.
Sometime later, Ranma came to with a splitting headache.
Letting out a tired moan, he used his hands to prop himself up to a
sitting position.
Hands?! The martial artist looked down at himself and his
eyes widened as he discovered that he had been returned to human
form. Instead of black fur, claws and fangs, he had skin, fingers
and normal teeth!
"ALL RIGHT! I'M BACK!" Ranma cried out as he stood up.
He promptly fell back down on his rear as his legs buckled under
his weight. "Oof!"
Ranma looked in confusion at his legs as he felt very little
strength in them. What's wrong with my legs? They don't feel
right! As he stared at his lower limbs, he noted that he was also
wearing the same gi that he had on at Jusenkyo. He then tried
another attempt to stand, but this too failed. After landing on his
backside again, he let off a tired sigh and lay down on his back. As
he stared at the cave's ceiling, he started to ponder his situation.
After a moment, he came to a conclusion. That must be it! I've
spent almost two months as a cat. My legs aren't used to standing
like a human again! I've running around on all fours for weeks! I'm
also not used to having my center of gravity being so high! Guess
I'm going to have to retrain myself to walk again! It's a small price,
but the main thing is, I'm human again! Speaking of which, HOW
did I change back?
Hmmm? let's see. I was focusing my chi and building it
inside of me. Could that be the answer? With the chi growing in
me, could it have somehow forced my transformation? Have I just
stumbled on a way to control my changes? Do I have the power to
change from tiger to human and back again? Is that the reason why
hot and cold water doesn't affect me? Is my curse different from
Pop's? Is that the reason why the spring I fell into exploded?
Damn! I have so many questions and no answers!
Feeling too exhausted to ponder the new development any
further, Ranma fell asleep.
Another month later?
Ranma walked down the forest trail in his human form. He
paused to look back at the cave which had been his home for three
months. Over the last four weeks, the son of Genma Saotome had
discovered that he did indeed had the ability to control his
transformations. During that time, he had practiced the technique
until he could trigger the change almost instantaneously and with
very little strain. It had almost become second nature to him.
While he was learning this skill, he had also continued with his
martial arts training. It was at that time he discovered his sudden
increase in skill level and ability as a human. He noticed that he
was at least six inches taller than before and had a lot more
muscle. His strength was about twenty-five times higher than
normal. His speed, agility and reflexes were also greater than
before and he moved with amazing ease and grace, despite his
increase in height and mass. His human senses of hearing, smell,
touch and taste were about three to four times better than normal
and he still possessed night vision and the ability to sense faint
heat emanations. His sixth sense was also intact. Best of all, he
now had full, conscious control of the Cat-Fist! He could now use
his hands like claws to effortlessly slice through wood, stone and
even metal! Best of all, the madness of the Neko Ken and his fear
of cats was history! He could even fire off his chi blasts from his
eyes as a human!
It took a while, but the martial artist realized that somehow, the
powers of his feline form were partially transferring over into his
human body. As a result, he had taken on catlike traits. Although
he only had about 40% of his overall feline ability in human form,
he was still far more powerful than he ever dreamed possible.
During the last two weeks, Ranma had set about developing new
moves, based on what he had read in the Cat Fist manual and his
experiences as a tiger. By the time he was ready to set out to
rejoin the world, he had improved on the original Cat Fist and
created several new techniques. In short, Ranma had become a
true student of Neko Ken. He was no longer limited to the
Anything Goes Martial Arts. The new Ultimate Neko Ken had
more appeal.
As Ranma traveled deeper into the woods, he pondered on what
to do next. He had no money or supplies. His backpack had been
left at Jusenkyo three months ago. Although he had decided to
learn to speak Chinese, he was still lost in China and had nothing
but the gi on his back.
I guess the most logical thing to do is to go find Pop!
Question is?do I want to find him? He's an idiot and he'd
probably put me through some more stupid training! Being able to
use the Cat Fist is great, but I could have done without the stupid
training! It was through sheer coincidence that I found a way to
control it! Another thing is that I'd have to give up my freedom!
He's too cheap to buy plane or boat tickets, so we'd probably have
to swim back to Japan! After a while, the fifteen-year old martial
artist tried to think of any good points about his father. However
for the life of him, he couldn't come up with anything that could
even remotely be considered as a redeeming quality.
Genma had been a scheming, conniving, greedy, and
opportunistic person. Sure he raised Ranma, but under his
parenting, Ranma had become egotistical, arrogant and had very
poor social skills. He had been isolated and alone for almost all
his life with no one but Genma to talk to. His father had made him
steal, lie and cheat, while maintaining that it was for the sake of
the Art! Ranma had always questioned his mode of thinking. He
knew it wasn't honorable to do these things. Then again, Genma
had very little in the way of honor, other than he used it as an
excuse to make him train.
With a tired sigh, Ranma decided that despite all of his failings,
Genma was still his father. As a dutiful son, he had to go find him.
With that in mind, he set off to the place where it all began;
Jusenkyo.
To be continued?
Author's Notes.
This rewrite is mostly just to clear up mistakes and gaps.
People were wondering where the grizzly bear had come from, so
I gave an explanation. I also expanded the encounters with the
Amazons a little more.
Cat Fist Fury
Ranma ? is Rumiko Takahashi's. Blah, blah, yakety smackety.
: Thoughts
Chapter 3
Following a New Path
It had taken Ranma three days to get to Jusenkyo on foot. He
had decided not to travel in his tiger form, as it would have
attracted too much attention. When he finally arrived at the cursed
training grounds, it was already sunset. When he approached the
entrance, he was greeted by a thin man that was dressed in the
same brown uniform as the other guide had wore.
"Greetings! Welcome to famous Training Grounds of Cursed
Springs! Jusenkyo!"
Ranma immediately noticed that this wasn't the same guide he
had met three months earlier. "Hello. I don't recognize you. What
happened to the other guide? You know, the fat one?"
"Oh! He is out helping a customer find his lost son. Been gone
for three months now. I am temporary replacement."
Ranma nodded. Guess that means that Pop is out there
looking for me. Then again, since he doesn't know that I can
change back into a human, he's probably looking for a black,
saber- toothed tiger. He then asked, "Tell me. Did this customer
fall into the Spring of Drowned Panda? Was his name Genma
Saotome?"
"Oh yes sir! Him very popular lately!"
"What do you mean?"
"Many, many people come here to Jusenkyo asking for him!
They very angry with him!"
"You don't say." The young martial artist's expression took on a
frown. Knowing Pop, it's probably some people that he's stolen
food from! Or a bill collector! Turning his attention back to the
skinny guide he asked, "So what exactly did these people want with
Genma?"
"Oh it is very confusing! They said that this man cheated them!
Say he promised his son to marry their daughters!"
Ranma's expression turned from disgust to shock as his face
paled. Marry their daughters?! What's he talking about?!
"Excuse me? Exactly what did they mean that his son was
supposed to marry their daughters?"
"Oh I no understand it either! Many parents and their daughters
had been searching for this man for years! Say that Genma
engaged his son to their daughters in exchange for food and
money! If true, then this man has promised son to ten fianc?es!"
"Say what?! Exactly who are these people?!"
"Well," The guide began. "First people who come to Jusenkyo
two weeks ago, was father with funny-looking ears and beautiful
daughter with brown hair. They come from Japan. Say name was
Daijkoku. Tell me they search for Genma for more than fifteen
years because he sold his son for a fish, a bowl of rice and two
pickles! If you ask me, he make very poor trade! He no keep
promise though! He stole baby son back! If you ask me, Genma is
very stupid to sell son like that!"
"Kami-sama?" Ranma said with barely a whisper. I don't
believe it! I was sold for a fish? "Who was the next person to
claim his son?"
"Oh this one I no believe either! Very big man came with son!
Strange-looking too! Also come from Japan. Both had big spatulas
on their backs! Say they met Genma when son was six! Genma
promise to engage son to his child in exchange for okonomiyaki
cart! But Genma stole cart and left child on road! Very bad man!
Though I no understand why he engage boy to boy!"
Ranma felt as if he was having a stroke. It can't be! That
almost sounds like? "Tell me! Was their name? Kuonji?" The
Guide nodded. No! That would mean that we? stole Ucchan's
cart! But Pop told me that it was a gift! And why would Ucchan's
dad engage me to him? Unless? Ranma became weak in the
knees and he braced himself on one of the pillars that were at the
entrance. He began to recall all of his early memories with his
playmate. Ucchan had always seemed somewhat? softer. He
always refused to go swimming with him in the nearby streams.
His voice was higher than usual. And most of all, he always
seemed to be more friendly toward him than what he considered
normal between two boys. As the realization dawn on him, Ranma
mentally kicked himself for not knowing sooner. No wonder
Ucchan was so angry when he and Genma left him! The guide's
revelation now made the final memory all clear! The reason why
his childhood friend had screamed, "You promised to take me with
you!"
"Sir?"
Without turning to face the guide, Ranma quietly asked, "Tell
me. The boy you saw with that man. Was his name? Ukyo
Kuonji?"
"Oh yes sir! How you know?"
"I think I figured out why that man engaged his son to Genma's
son."
"What you mean?"
"Ukyo isn't a boy. He's? a girl."
"Really?! Oh now that make sense! I thought he was boy. If he is
really girl, then it clear! Still not right for Genma to steal cart
though!" The Guide then noticed that Ranma's expression had
darkened and that he was having a hard time keeping his temper in
check. "Sir?"
Ranma was hunched over and his body was trembling as he tried
to hold back the tears. He failed. As the slick drops began running
down his cheeks, he recalled a conversation that he had with his
father a short time before they left Ukyo and his? no, her father.
Nine years ago?
"Son? I have something very important to ask you. Which do
you like better? Ukyo or okonomiyaki?"
"Uh? okonomiyaki!" Replied the slightly confused boy.
The present?
"Sir? Are you okay?"
Ranma angrily wiped away the tears and calmed himself. When
he faced the Guide again, his expression was devoid of all
emotion. "Tell me, who else came looking for Genma? Who were
they, and what did he sell his son for?"
The guide took on a puzzled look then answered. "The Tanaka
clan came because of five bags of rice. The Shiga family had made
a deal over a full course meal at their restaurant. The Nanatomo
clan for some sukiyaki! The Sentaro family for a month's supply
of pork! The Yasmi family for some pork buns! The Wu family for
some ramen. The Shintoro family for some gold. And a woman
from a nearby Amazon tribe. She get him to promise his son for
three pounds of silver!"
By the time the guide had finished, Ranma had become a
seething volcano of emotions. How dare he! How DARE he sell
me off to all those people like I was like some bargaining chip!
He's always ragged on me about honor! He's nothing but a
hypocrite! He's scum! He's worse than scum! He's nothing but
trash! And I let him do this to me! He made me? abandon
Ucchan! The best friend I ever had! That does it! He's history!
"Sir? Are you okay?"
The teen came to a decision. He took a long and deep breath
and replied. "No. I just realized that someone whom I had some
respect for, has lied to me for over fifteen years. I came here in
order to find him, but now I couldn't care less if I never see him
again!"
"Oh sir! You look for Genma too? Are you Ranma, his son?"
Ranma was silent for a moment, then replied. "No. I'm not. My
name isn't important. The way I heard it, Ranma Saotome's life
ended when he came to this place. Anyway, why would I want to
find a scumbag like Genma? I'll be leaving now. Sorry for
troubling you." Ranma turned and walked away from Jusenkyo, not
once looking back.
As he got more than a mile away from the training grounds, he
let out a roar and triggered his transformation. His body instantly
flared with a red light which briefly enveloped him. When the light
faded, Ranma Saotome was no longer present. In his place was a
snarling and ferocious-looking saber-toothed tiger. Taking a final
look back in the direction of Jusenkyo, he then bounded off into
the distance. As his feline form disappeared over the horizon, he
let off a final roar of anguish.
Goodbye Genma Saotome! And good riddance! I swear that I
shall never, EVER listen to you again! For nine long years I have
followed your ways but no more! As of today, I am on own!
Then, he was gone.
To be continued?
Author's Notes
So far the changes I've made to these chapters are relatively
minor, as I wanted to clear up any spelling and grammar mistakes.
I have made a few errors in my continuity and I thank all my
readers who were gracious enough to point these out.