Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ The Chosen One: Sidestories ❯ Side Story 2: The Young Shadow Lord ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The Chosen One: Side stories

By- Water Soul

Disclaimers: Ranma and its characters don't belong to me...
^___________^

Author's Ramblings: Konnichiwa, minna-san~ hehe... It's been a while,
ne? Gomen nasai. I've just been so busy. Forgive me? Well, I hope you
guys enjoy this chapter and don't forget to review~ ^-^ Oh, and I know
that I said I'll be doing Nabiki's story next, but chronologically my
side stories made more sense to have Ranma before Nabiki. Well, all
you Ranma fans, enjoy~

Please give me feedback on how you guys feel about the side stories.
If it's not that popular, I'll be slower on uploading these. It'll
save me some time. So please review!!

Side Story Two: Saotome Ranma: The rising darkness

"Punch harder, m'boy!"

The young boy flinched at his father's loud orders, but obediently
increased his strength. The older man raised his arms as he yelled.

"You're too weak, Ranma! Are you sure you're even my son? You're a
disgrace to the Saotome family, weakling!"

Ranma, angry and spurred on by his father's harsh words, moved faster
as he drove in one punch after another. The red anger inside him
stained his vision crimson and he pummeled his small fists again and
again. His blue eyes were clouded with concentration and an intensity
that didn't fit his young age. His father, pleased, encouraged him.

"That's it, Ranma! Keep doing it, m'boy!"

Then with a loud grunt, Ranma nailed a punch past his father's guard
and struck him hard on his stomach. With a groan his father fell down,
his hands clutching his bruised stomach. There was a sort of twisted
satisfaction in Ranma's eyes as he looked at his fallen father.
Finally, he was able to hurt his father. With a smirk, Ranma looked
down at his sprawled father. Inside, he was gloating with pleasure at
this unexpected good fortune. Genma staggered up and frowned at Ranma.

"You were not supposed to hit me that hard."

At his reproachful comment, Ranma shrugged casually.

"Like you said, Pop. The strong keeps standing and the weak falls."

As soon as the words were out of Ranma's mouth, Genma swung his large
palm and slapped Ranma. Hard. The seven-year-old boy flew across the
dojo. His small body slammed against the wall and slid down with a red
mark staining his cheeks. Hatefully, Ranma glared at Genma rubbing his
painfully throbbing cheek.

"And didn't I teach you to be always alert? Stand up again, boy. We're
going to resume our training."

Genma half-expected for Ranma to refuse to go on. So he was surprised
when Ranma lifted himself off the ground with a cold smile tugging on
his lips.

"Come again, old man."

Eyes narrowing, Genma resumed his "training." He punched and kicked as
he would against a man. Ranma, of course, couldn't withstand the
barrage of assaults and fell limply to the floor over and over. Genma
stopped when Ranma's body was colored black and blue and the
originally white gi was stained with Ranma's blood. Genma breathed
heavily and straightened.

"Show some respect to your father, boy. When you beat me, then I'll
acknowledge your power."

Genma stepped to go, but Ranma's hand clutching his ankle prevented
him from doing so. A determined glint in his eyes, Ranma staggered up,
swaying lightly on his feet. He dangerously rocked side to side.

"A-again!"

Genma sighed and rolled his eyes. He spun around and struck a powerful
fist into Ranma's stomach. Ranma spit out blood as he slipped to the
ground clutching his stomach. He coughed up the crimson liquid as his
whole body racked with pain. Cruelly, Genma crouched before him.

"I almost forgot. I had to pay you back for that little stunt you
pulled."

Genma took his hand and slapped his son on the face couple of times.

"You have to be stronger, m'boy. Or you'll never become a good heir to
this kingdom. The trouble I go through to train you..."

Shaking his head, Genma stood up. As he left the dojo, he signaled to
a servant.

"Prince Ranma needs another bath. And call the physician again."

"Hai, Saotome-sama."

Whistling, Genma walked out of the wooden room. The servant fearfully
glanced at the leaving king then rushed to the young, motionless
prince.

"Oh, Kami-sama. The things he do to the poor boy."

Tenderly, the old woman brushed Ranma's black hair.

"My poor Ranma..."

Ranma began to stir, his eyes fluttering.

"Nozomi...?"

"Hai, my dear child. Your Nozomi's here."

"It hurts..."

Ranma shifted in Nozomi's arms.

"Take the pain away, Nozomi..."

"I will. It'll be all right now."

"You always make it all right..."

Ranma, relaxed, closed his eyes. Nozomi will take care of everything.
And tomorrow, he'll be good as new as always. Nozomi was the one
person Ranma could trust and care for. She had been her nurse and only
confidant. Nozomi was more of a mother to him than his birth mother
was. He always felt comfortable in her warm embrace and devoted
kindness. Unnoticed by the two, a shadow watched the tender scene. He
shook his head sadly.

"Oh m'boy. Your weakness came from this. How can you turn to a
servant? Now I know what to do to make you stronger."

Genma left from the shadows and headed towards his room. He had to
talk to his wife. He was greatly disappointed in his only child. Ranma
will be punished later.

"And all the things I do for him... He knows no gratitude."

~*~

Ranma reopened his eyes. Brightness blinded him for a while until his
eyes adjusted. As he surveyed the room, he realized that he was in his
bedroom. Then with the sound of footsteps, Ranma struggled to sit up.
Nozomi rushed to the young prince, leaving the tray next to the bed.

"Dear child, don't try to move. I just finished setting the bandages.
The wounds are serious today. You need complete rest to heal."

Ranma grinned at the old woman and leaned against the bed.

"Thanks, Nozomi. What's there to eat? I'm hungry."

"Here, child."

Nozomi set the tray in front of Ranma as he eagerly reached for the
steaming bowl of soup and rice. He happily began to shovel the food in
until he met Nozomi's look. Rolling his eyes, he slowed down his pace
and ate his food at a more moderate pace. Nozomi smiled, pleased by
this. Suddenly, she lifted her hand and lovingly touched his head.
Ranma, surprised, looked up from his meal.

"What's wrong, Nozomi?"

"Nothing. I just remembered when you were a tiny baby. You were your
parent's joy and pride. Such a beautiful little baby boy... Now, look
at you. You're getting bigger and older, now. It makes an old woman
realize how fast time goes by."

Ranma bitterly repeated her words.

"My parent's joy and pride... they could have had me fooled. Mother's
obsessed about making me the man among man that she overlooks any kind
of torture Father does to me under the name of training. She just
smiles and tells me to be thankful to have such a kind, loving father.
Father is nothing but an overgrown child with an insatiable appetite
and a mind for cruelty. What a coward he is! He cowers at Mother's
shadow, yet he doesn't hesitate to hit his own son. They care nothing
about me. They just want a son who shows honor and is a great martial
artist. A suitable heir! That honor is nothing but a fake mask they
put out to hide their ignorance and cruelty."

Tears started to form in Ranma's eyes. Nozomi looked at him, sorrow
filling her heart. She truly loved Ranma as her own child, and she
hated to see him pained at such a young age. She hugged him to her.

"It's okay, Ranma. You have me. I'll always be there."

"No-Nozomi."

Ranma started sobbing uncontrollably into her embrace. Nozomi
comfortingly patted Ranma's back, hoping that somehow Ranma will be
able to find solace just for a little while. When Ranma stopped crying
and unlatched himself from Nozomi, he looked up at her wrinkled face.

"You know, Nozomi. I hate them so much. I despise them with all of my
soul"

His eyes were burning with so much hatred that Nozomi believed him.

"I'm going to make them all pay, one day. Make them pay for what they
did to me. I'll make the dearly regret everything they did."

Slightly uncomfortable by the intensity of his expression, Nozomi
tilted her head. Then Ranma's expression brightened.

"Well, that's later."

Relieved, Nozomi motioned for him to continue eating. Ranma returned
to his meal with enthusiasm. As soon as he finished his food, Nozomi
indicated for him to sit in her lap. Bewildered, Ranma obeyed and sat
down on the old woman's lap. She took a brush and began to run it
through the young prince's shoulder-length hair. Startled, Ranma
turned around and stared questioningly at her. Nozomi smiled.

"I just thought that your hair was long enough to put in a braid."

"A braid?! That's so girly, though!"

"It'll keep it out of your way, though."

"Aww... okay, only because you want me to."

Nozomi continued brushing his hair and then expertly twisted it and
tied it with a small black band.

"There. Now the braid won't escape."

Ranma lifted a mirror and studied his reflection slowly. Nozomi
affectionately hugged his shoulders.

"You're going to be a heartbreaker one day."

"Heartbreaker? What's that?"

Ranma innocently asked. Nozomi was happy to see Ranma's blue eyes
return to their questioning, naïve state. It was a rare sight nowadays
and the times grew less frequent as each day passed. Nozomi was
thankful for small gifts that showed that Ranma was still a young boy
in a part of his heart, no matter how small.

"You'll find out one day."

Ranma sulked silently.

"I hate it when you do that. Ranma, you're too young. Ranma, you're
too small."

At Ranma's adorable pout, Nozomi laughed softly.

Suddenly the door slammed open. Two palace guards raced into the
bedroom and saluted Ranma. Ranma, frowning, spoke sharply to them.

"What do you want?"

The palace guards looked nervously at each other. When Prince Ranma
was angry he was even scarier than Saotome-sama.

"Ummm... My lord prince, we are here on orders from your mighty
father."

"What does he want?"

"He wants us to take the servant woman to the judging room, sire."

"What?"

Ranma sprang up from the bed. Nozomi, frightened, looked at the
guards. She hesitantly spoke to them.

"What does the all-mighty emperor want with a weak and old woman like
me?"

The guards couldn't meet her in the eye. Nozomi was well-respected in
the palace. She was an old-time servant of the royalties, having been
Nodoka's nurse before becoming Ranma's. She was considered to be wise
and generous by many.

"We are not sure, Nozomi-san. He just wished you to be brought to the
judging room. He didn't tell us why."

Ranma, enraged, was about to fly at the guards, but Nozomi stood up.

"If the emperor calls me, then I have to go."

Ranma was about to stop her from leaving when she raised a hand to
silence him.

"Now, dear child. It's not like I'm going to be gone for a long time.
I'm sure the emperor wouldn't need anything from an old woman like me.
Don't worry."

"But- but- Nozomi..."

"Actually, Saotome-sama wanted Prince Ranma to come, as well."

Surprised, Ranma spun around to face the guards. He frowned slightly
wondering what his father decided to do, but then motioned the guards
to lead the way. He scowled when the guards hesitated.

"What's wrong?"

"We- we're supposed to chain Nozomi-san."

"NO!"

Ranma vehemently shook his head. He will not see Nozomi chained, ever.
He was stunned when Nozomi offered her wrinkled hands to the young
guards. When he visibly objected, she turned to him.

"They are chains, nothing more. I don't want to bring trouble to the
guards."

Ranma closed his mouth. Inside, he was crying for his nurse. Damnit!
He didn't want to see Nozomi chained. He swallowed thickly. The guards
silently chained the old woman and led her out the door. Ranma
followed watching Nozomi proudly lift her head and walk toward the
judging room.

~*~

"Here is the servant you requested, Saotome-sama."

"Good. Now leave."

Ranma, glowering at his father, stepped forward.

"What is the meaning of this, outo-sama?"

"Be silent, boy."

Hatred glowing in his small heart, Ranma obediently stepped back.
Genma motioned to his wife, Nodoka. Nodoka regally rose from the
throne. She was still beautiful despite her age, and carried herself
with dignity.

"Nozomi. I've heard some disturbing reports about you and my son."

"..."

"I've heard that you teach him to hate his parents and to despise us.
I heard you try anything in your power to make him a lesser man among
man."

"But- okaa-sama!"

Nodoka raised her hand to signal Ranma to be quiet.

"Is this true, Nozomi?"

"Saotome-sama, I've done nothing but treat Ranma as a child as one is
supposed to do with a seven-year old."

"I was afraid of this... so, you are admitting that you have committed
treason against the Realm of Shadows?"

"Treason? What great treason is this, okaa-sama?"

"Ranma, be silent."

"No, I refuse to! What kind of honor is this, okaa-sama? She was your
nurse, for Kami's sake. Everyone knows that there is no one more loyal
or devoted as Nozomi. Is this your great sense of honor? Well, if
condemning goodness is your honor, then I refuse to have it! You are
nothing but a cold-hearted hypocrite! Nozomi was more of a mother than
you were to me. I am ashamed to call you my birth mother."

A loud slap rang through the large room. Nodoka, shaking in anger,
dropped her hand. She glared at her son.

"Respect your parents, child."

Ranma glowered under her contemptuous gaze. Abruptly, Nodoka turned
around.

"Nozomi, you have committed treason and would now be punished as a
traitor. What have you left to say?"

Nozomi stood straight and proudly and looked at Nodoka in the eye.

"I have nothing left to say, Saotome-sama. Except for may Kami help
the child for he needs it greatly with parents like you. I am shamed
by your behavior, Nodoka-chan. I would have never expected for you to
turn into this."

Nodoka seethed silently yet could not bring herself to slap her former
nurse. She turned around.

"Refer to me as Saotome-sama. You are my nurse no longer."

Nodoka gestured for the palace guards. They apologetically took Nozomi
and started to lead her to the execution room. Ranma ran and blocked
the doorway. With tears streaming down his youthful face, he knelt on
the ground. In a hollow voice, he whispered over and over.

"I'm so sorry, outo-sama. I'm so sorry okaa-sama. Please forgive me
and don't take Nozomi away. Oh please! Please, I beg of you!"

Nodoka coldly stared at her sobbing son.

"Tears are a sign of weakness. And a real man never begs or kneel to
anyone."

She swept past Ranma, but Ranma held tightly onto the hem of her
elaborate robe.

"Okaa-sama... onegai..."

Nodoka kicked Ranma off and she sharply commanded to the guards. Genma
rose and followed her, before scornfully glancing at Ranma's broken
form.

"Hold Prince Ranma immobile. I don't want him running to the execution
room."

"Hai."

The guards reluctantly held the young prince as he screamed and
kicked. He watched as Nozomi was led outside the room, but then she
turned around and mouthed five last words to her charge.

I love you, my child.

And Nozomi resumed the march to her death. Ranma howled in pain and
anger when he couldn't see her. He could faintly hear the drums slowly
beating signaling the nearing ax. As the beat increased, Ranma's pulse
began to race and his screams grew louder. Then the drums stopped and
Ranma could hear the ax fall and rip through the air. Thunk! Ranma
howled one final, desperate cry before lightning crackled around the
room. Then the Power erupted.

~*~

Seven weeks had passed ever since the fatal day Ranma's childhood
ended. His parents had been ecstatic to find out that Ranma was the
Carrier of Lightning and the Manipulator of Pressure. Grimly, Ranma
endured day after day of training. And the resolve in his hardened
heart grew stronger. The resolve to seek revenge in his parents for
the death of Nozomi matured by the minute. And today was no different
any other day. Ranma intensely concentrated on each punch and each
kick; hearing the axe falling over and over. As the drum beats
repeated in his ears, his punch grew faster and his kicks grew harder.
Finally, he bent down to breathe heavily and shook his head. Slowly,
his hand reached up to tug at his braid. Ever since that day, Ranma
always put his hair in a braid. He closed his eyes as his throat
tightened. Then a servant ran into the practice room. Ranma looked up
and locked his eyes with the frightened ones of the servant's.

"What is it?"

"Prince- Prince Ranma! Lord Genma is... Lord Genma is..."

"He's what?"

"He's dead... Sire... He's dead..."

The servant's whisper pierced through the stillness of the practice
room.

~*~

Ranma gingerly placed his hand on his father's cold body. Genma's eyes
were wide open as if his last image has been one of pain and torture.
Ranma carefully closed Genma's eyes and shook his head.

"You didn't even have the honor to die in my hands... I hope your last
moments were painful, father."

He looked up toward the ceiling.

"Whoever killed you will die in my hands, father. For he took away the
one prize I have been striving for all my life; your long, torturous
death."

He swiveled and left the room. The young prince was a mere seven year
old child when he became the Emperor of the Dark. And the shadowed
realm will know nothing but grief and anguish from that moment on.

~*~

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