*Ukyou’s restaurant.  Business is booming as usual, just like any other Friday afternoon. Students from the nearby Furinkan High School have gathered here after a long day of school. They come not only to chow down on the great tasting food, but also to watch the nimble owner work her magic with her griddle and spatulas. Ukyou’s hands zipped back and forth so fast above the hot surface it became merely a blur, where freshly-made okonomiyakis would be flying out of and landing neatly on plates even on the other side of the room. She presently stops for a moment after serving 153 okonomiyakis. She puts her mini spatulas back in their holsters, wipes the sweat off her brow, and watches with satisfaction as her customers eat and engage in light conversation. She should have kept her utensils out, however, as the door opens and a new customer walks in.*

Ukyou: Irrashaimase! Welcome to Utchan’s!

*The person that just walked in looks about Ukyou’s age. A light grayish cloak is draped over his shoulders and covers most of his body from the neck down. His young face bares a striking resemblance to someone Ukyou knows dearly, except that his pupils are a reddish color, and his hair is brown and without a pig-tail. His strange appearance may have upset most normal students, but then again, these are students from Furinkan High School, who have witnessed everything from people doing brilliant energy blasts to weird transformations via cold water. He continues his steps toward the front of the counter, while looking around a bit his surroundings.*

Ukyou: *looks at him in bewilderment* May I help you?

Boy: Shi, can I get a….. *points to one of Utchan’s advertisement on the window*

Ukyou: Oh! The takoyaki special? You got it! Just a moment.

*He looks in amazement as the girl in front of him whips out her spatulas, and almost simultaneously oils the griddle, spreads the dough, mixes the ingredients, and in the next second places the takoyaki on a plate right in front of him.*

Boy: *impressed* very skillful…… arigatoo.

*He bites into the okonomiyaki, as Ukyou watches him from the corner of her eyes.*

 Ukyou: You’re not from around here, are you?

Boy: *swallows his bite, and shakes his head slightly* Bu…..

Ukyou: *decides not to further question her taciturn customer.* ……..

*A minute passed when he finishes the okonomiyaki. Ukyou continues to serve others that have also just came in*

Boy: *wipes the stain from his mouth with a napkin, and looks at Ukyou* How much?

Ukyou: *finishes another series of okonomiyakis*  that’ll be 200 yen.

Boy: *his face turns slightly red, as he puts his hands under his cloak, and comes out with several coins* Dui bu chi, I only have some yuans….

Ukyou: *blinks at the money* Nani! Chinese money? What do you expect me to do with Chinese money in Japan?

Boy: *puts the money back somewhere in his cloak* gomen….. I don’t have the type of money here.

Ukyou: *anger can be detected from her voice* You don’t expect to eat for free, do you?

Boy: No…. *brings out his hand from his cloak again, this time with a peculiar object* Maybe you can take this as payment. I don’t have much use for this.

*Ukyou’s eyes widen at the object before her. It’s a bright green jade gemstone, in the shape of a round disk, with beautiful and mysterious carvings on both sides. A string is attached to it through a tiny hole on what appears to be the top of the jade.*

Ukyou: I… I can’t accept this…

Boy: it’s alright, I should have known better to come here without the right money.

Ukyou: well… *takes the small disk in her takes* ok, but let me get you some change.

*Ukyou stares at the jade her hand in a moment, and goes to the cash register. She quickly takes out a handful money*

Ukyou: *smiling* Here you ar………

*The young man is no longer there, as Ukyou stares then looks around in disbelief, her right hand gripping the jade, and her left with the money. The door to her restaurant wavers slowly back and forth; as the students carry on, not noticing the entrance or exit of the mysterious character.*

*The next day, at forest somewhere in Japan*

Ryouga: *makes his way up a hill* damn….. how in the world do I get out of this forest?!

**flashback**

Farmer: You see that river over there? Just follow the exact path of the stream, and it’ll lead to you to the highway for Tokyo.

Ryouga: Uh… thanks!

*Ryouga does as the farmer said. After a mile or so, he comes to a stream about 1 meters wide that branches out of the main river to a perpendicular direction.*

Ryouga: huh? The farmer said follow it’s path exactly…. So I guess I have to turn here.

*Instead of hopping over the stream and continue along the river, Ryouga turns and follows the little stream, which eventually leads him deep into the forest.*

**end flashback*

Ryouga: *trudging his way* that damn farmer, how dare he lies to me. *hears a rustling in the bushes.* Whose there?! *arms his umbrella*

*4 rough looking men leaps out of the bushes, each wearing ragged clothing, and each handling a crude weapon.*

Thief 1: well look what we got here, Gills, *snickers* a city boy.

Thief 2: I bet he’s jes got loads and loads money. *yanks his chain*

Thief 3: Well, lets find out. *pats his crowbar.*

Ryouga: *grins* heh, you want to rob Ryouga Hibiki? This is your unlucky day, you human scum.

Thief 3: Hand over your money right now or your dog food!

*Thief 3 jumps at Ryouga, but his two accomplices jump up into different trees. Ryouga counters the crowbar strike with his umbrella. To his surprise, he did not manage to get the crowbar flying out of thief’s hands. The thief takes advantage of Ryouga’s surprise and attacks his ribs with his elbow. Ryouga stops it in time with his palm alone, but suddenly he feels his neck choked by a hard cold chain. Somehow the 2nd thief had come behind him without Ryouga’s knowing. Ryouga responds by grabbing the chain, raises his legs to kick thief 3 then uses the returned force of the kick to flip himself over and behind thief 2. He then strikes him to the ground. Thief 1 also quickly jumps in and manages to rip off Ryouga’s backpack.*

Ryouga: {These are no ordinary crooks} Grrr… Shi Shi Houkou Dan!

*he sends his ki blast at the 1st thief, who drops the backpack to avoid the blast.*

Thief 1: *calls to his accomplices* come on, lets go.

*all three hurriedly scatters back into the trees*

Ryouga: *picks up his backpack, and suddenly feels a slight dizziness* Nani… *shakes his head* Can’t believe I had that much trouble with 3 thieves…. Well, at least they won’t attack me again. *continues trying to find his way out the forest*

*A few days later*

*On a mountain trail, Genma is seen leading another expedition into the wild, with Ranma and Akane close behind him. While Genma is wearing only his white gi and easily walks through the forest path, Ranma is burdened with a back pack twice his size.*

Genma: *looking behind him* Hurry up boy, we don’t have all day.

Ranma: *under his breath* easily for you to say, stupid old man, letting me carry all the stuff.

Akane: *scoffs at Ranma* complaining about weight, Ranma? And you call yourself a martial artist.

Ranma: *scowls* well let see you hippity hop with this ridiculous sack on your back. What’s in it anyway, an anvil?

Akane: Oh, just some tents, axes, pans, pots, cooking ingredients, and of course, my hammers.

Ranma: *turns his head away* hmp! I don’t see why we gotta bring you along on this training trip.

Akane: And what’s THAT supposed to mean!

*Ranma is spared from answering as Genma seemingly teleports over, grabs Ranma, and slams him against a tree.*

Ranma: hey what the!

Genma: You listen to me, boy! Akane was nice enough to agree to cook for us on this training mission. You, as her fiance, should be grateful.

Ranma: *smirks* Oh really, and do you remember the last time we tried out her cooking?

Genma: *the statements leaves a bitter taste in his mouth* Well, that was before, and Akane has been taking lessons from Kasumi since then. And she DID make that normal tasting curry once.

Ranma: *not convinced* so she got lucky, big deal!

Akane: *comes over* and just what are you two talking about?

Genma: *throws a nervous laugh at Akane* Oh… ha…. Ranma was just saying how hungry he’ll get after training for a couple hours, so you better prepare a big dinner later, Akane.

Akane: oh! Hai! I’ll try my best.

*They hike for another half an hour, with Ranma grumbling about something the entire way, and finally comes to a clearing. The afternoon sun is blazing above them.*

Genma: *tightens his belt, and looks around* Well, lets set up here.

Ranma: *throws his back pack down* Finally! We’ll I’m going to start right now. *bounces off*

Genma: wait up son! *looks at Akane* I’ll leave everything up to you, Akane. *jumps after Ranma*

Akane: Hey wait a minute! *realizes they’re both gone* Grrrr! They expect me to set up everything!?

*The sun is beginning to set over the horizon. Ranma and Genma trod slowly back to the camp site, having taken some bruises from each other. Both looks hungry enough to eat even tree bark.*

Genma and Ranma: We’re back!

*They see Akane standing over a large pot over a fire, humming a tune while sprinkling various ingredients into the content of the pot.*

Akane: *looks up, seemingly happy about something* Oh just in time! All I need is a little more firewood, and dinner will be ready!

Ranma: *sniffs the suspicious fume coming from the pot* just what did you put in it, Akane?

Akane: What do you mean! I use only the best ingredients! See, they’re all name brand *hints to the half empty bottles and jars lying beside her*

Ranma: err……

Akane: *stands up* You stay here! I’m going to get some firewood. I’ve put a lot of work into this, so when it’s done, you better enjoy it! *walks off*

Ranma: *sees that Akane is out of sight range, and comes closer to the pot, and looks at it’s swirling, mustard color goo.* oh man…. If she thinks I’m gonna eat this, she’s outa her mind.

Genma: *walks closer* why don’t you give it a try son, so at least you’ll know what to expect when she forces it down your throat.

Ranma: Are you nuts! *listens to his stomach growling* then again…. Maybe a bite wouldn’t hurt.

*Ranma dips a spoon into the pot, and scoops up a spoonful. He gulps, closes his eyes, wrinkles his nose, and delivers the it into his mouth.*

Genma: *awaits his reaction* well son?

*Ranma drops the spoon, his face turns purple, and he freezes.*

Genma: Son? Son!

*no response*

Genma: *whacks Ranma on the back* Son!!

Ranma: *chokes, and his voice becomes scratchy* water…. Water!

*Genma immediately answers by picking up a nearby bucket of cold water and dumps it on Ranma.*

*Ranma-chan kicks Genma out of her way, and dashes for a water bottle, and empties it like there’s no tomorrow.*

Ranma-chan: *labored breathing* strong…… almost….. killed….

Genma: well at least you’re all right now.

Ranma-chan: *glares at Genma* Whose stupid idea was it to bring such a uncute unsexy tomboy who can’t cook on this trip anyway!?

Genma: *ignores Ranma, and looks at the ingredients Akane used* well, they’re brand name alright; too bad no one told Akane not to use EVERY single one of them. Well, guess I better use the benefit of my curse to get food then. *picks up another bucket of water*

Ranma-chan: Oh no you…..

*Before Ranma can finish her statement, an ear piercing scream rings out from the direction Akane head off to*

Ranma-chan: Akane! *instinctively jumps to the source of the scream*

*Ranma and Genma blazes through the trees, and comes upon Akane. She has partially fallen to the ground, supporting herself her with her hands, while a pile of dropped firewood spreads on the ground near her.*

Ranma-chan: Akane! *lands close to her* What is it? You look like you saw a ghost!

Akane: *trembling, and points to something dark in front of her* that!

*Ranma-chan looks to where Akane’s pointing. She sees a still human body, camouflaged by a ragged cloak, lying on the ground near a bush. The only sign that shows it is human is the hair and bloodied face facing the ground.*

Ranma-chan: *bolts back* a corpse?

Genma: *goes over and examines the body* no, he’s alive, and the blood on his face is not his. There’s no cuts there. *rolls the body over, and notes the deep cuts and bruises on his body. Genma also sees that the young teenage boy is gripping a metal bo* He must have been in some fight, his injuries are serious.

Ranma-chan: what are we gonna do?

Akane: We can’t just leave him here to die…

Genma: I guess we’ll have to take him back to the dojo with us…

Ranma-chan: Oyaji, you sure?

Genma: *looking serious, and nods* come on, let’s carry him back to camp. I think we got a first aid kit somewhere, just to patch up his wounds.

Ranma-chan: I guess so…. *goes over, and puts the boy’s arm around her neck, and raises him up without much effort.* At least he’s light……

Akane: *looks at Ranma* why are you in your girl form?

*back at camp.*

Genma: *finishes putting on the last bandage* Ranma, Akane, finish packing up yet?

Akane: *clumsily stuffs everything inside the backpack* Yea…. But what are we going to do with the soup?

Ranma: don’t have time for that Akane, just dump it somewhere. We’ll eat at home.

Akane: *raises her voice* What! I worked hard on that.

Genma: What… he’s stirring…

Boy: ugggg……

Akane: *looks at the poor guy laying on the ground by Genma* I know, he must be hungry after whatever fight he’s been in… maybe the soup will restore some of his blood.

Ranma: {uh oh}  *looks at Akane* uh, Akane, I don’t think it’s such a good idea… who knows, maybe he’s allergic to soup.

Akane: What! Don’t be stupid! Whoever heard of someone being allergic to soup? *scoops up a bowl of the soup and walks to the boy*

Ranma: Akane…. That’s really not…

*Akane gives him a glare that immediately shuts him up*

Boy: *coughs* k… k….

Akane: *in a gentle voice* there there, take this, it’ll make you feel better.

*Akane kneels by the boy, and puts a spoonful to his mouth. The boy is in no shape to resist, and swallows it whole.*

Akane: There.

*few seconds past, no motion is detected from the boy.*

Akane: Nani!!

*The boy’s face turn purple, and he stopped breathing.*

*That night, at the Tendo’s.*

Akane: *sounding frustrated* how was I supposed to know the soup will cause him to do that!

Kasumi: *tending to the patient laying on the futon with a warm cloth* Oh, I know it’s not your fault, Akane.

Ranma: *whispers to Genma* Oh great… if anything happens to that guy, it’ll be on our heads…

Genma: *nods back* Good thing we managed to get him breathing again….

Ranma: The poor guy, if his injuries doesn’t kill him, Akane’s cooking might just do it…

Akane: *turns to Ranma and Genma violently* What’s that supposed to mean!

Kasumi: Well, I’ve managed to clean the blood off his face and body, and stopped all his external bleeding.

Nabiki: *examines the patient’s face closely* hey you know what… this guy looks sorta like Ranma…..

Akane: *blinks, and looks at boy’s face without the blood* Hey… you’re right, Nabiki…

Ranma: Hm? *also looks at the boy* Don’t be ridiculous, I look WAY better than he does.

Soun: *ponders something* have you ever seen this young man before, Saotome?

Genma: hmmmm…. Can’t say I have, Tendo.

Soun: well, it’s easy to see he’s not from around here…. Maybe he got attacked by some wild beasts…

Genma: *shakes his head* No… his cuts are too smooth and clean to have been caused by any wild animal. He definitely was in a fight against opponents with weapons.

Soun: You think it’s safe to keep him here?

Genma: That….. I’m not sure.

*Next morning, while everyone is at the breakfast table. *

Nabiki: *turns on the TV* hey quite everybody, I have to see how my stocks are doing.

**
Reporter: In business and technology news today, Mana Corp, one of the fastest growing companies today,  has promised a new technology that will produce the most efficient form of fuel ever seen. It claims it will revolutionize all compact technology for years to come…..
**

Nabiki: Mana Corp! that’s the 10th time I’ve heard of it this week! Since when did they suddenly get so popular?

Kasumi: Ranma, why don’t you go check on our friend, if he’s up, he might be hungry.

Ranma: *finishes his bowl* ok. *goes down the hall*

*Ranma knocks on the door. After receiving no response, he slides the door open himself, only too see an empty futon with a note sticking out of the blanket*

Ranma: Hey! He’s gone!

*minutes later*

Genma: well Tendo, what does it say?

Soun: *reading the note with his brow furrowing* His Japanese handwriting is terrible…. And some of the kanji he uses doesn’t even exist in our language…

Nabiki: *looks at the note* I don’t think some of those “kanji” are kanji at all… they’re Chinese.

Soun: Chinese! Well, that explains why it’s so confusing…. Well, from what I can tell, it says:
“To this family:  Thank you for healing my injuries. Not wanting to bring you any further trouble, it is best that I leave as soon as possible.”

Nabiki: That’s it?! He doesn’t mention anything like “As a reward for saving my life, I will pay you whatever you want” ?

Kasumi: helping someone out is it’s own reward, Nabiki.

Nabiki: *smirks* Oh please, onee-san.

Ranma: That guy shouldn’t have the energy to move for at least another couple days to heal and rest! Must be straining his body to leave like that.

Akane: Well, we can’t worry about that now. Come on Ranma, or else we’ll be late for school. *throws Ranma’s his back pack*

Ranma: *catches it with his face* gee thanks.

*On the way to school, Ranma, as usual, takes the high path by walking on the fence, while Akane walks next to him on the ground.*

Akane: Ranma, do you think that guy will be okay? I mean, leaving after barely healing his injuries.

Ranma: *looks to Akane* Oh? Well, from what I can tell, he’s a martial artists, so I think he’ll be ok, if he takes care of himself. Why are you so worried about someone else all of the sudden?

Akane: Oh nothing… just that…..

*Akane’s sentence is suddenly drowned by the sound of roaring engines, as they see a figure jumping past the intersection ahead, followed by a gang of motorcycle riders. The roaring of the engines is so loud that Akane is forced to cover her ears*

Ranma: *barely caught a glimpse of the first figure he saw* It’s that guy! *motions to follow the motorcycle gang*

Akane: Ranma! Where are you going?!

Ranma: *looking back* just go to school! I’ll be right behind you! *jumps off after the gang*

Akane: *clenches her fist* that idiot! Always running off at the first sign of a fight! Well he’s not ditching me! *runs after Ranma*

*The chase finally ends at a park. The boy being chased stops, and turns to face the motorcycle gang. He stands with the morning sun rising right behind him. His cloak is nowhere to be seen; he is seen wearing a Chinese style light-weight battle uniform that seems to be a faint mixture of blue, green, and gray. Tied around his waist is a long, flowing, silver-colored belt. In his hands grips a gleaming metal bo. His brown hair wavers slightly from the breeze caused by the chase, as he stares at the motorcycle gang with his fiery red eyes.*

Boy: Enough of this, just why the hell are you after me for? I didn’t do anything to you.

Leader: We aint paid to talk, why don’t you just come nicely so we won’t have to mess up yer face?

Boy: hmp, easier said than done.

Leader: GET’EM boys!

*Their engine starts whirring again, as they attempt to run pass him with their chains, spikes, and clubs. The first gang member whips his chain at the boy, who catches the chain with his bo, and flings him over to the next rider. He picks up and gets on the fallen motorcycle, turns it around, and drive at the next incoming riders at top speed. With his bo placed horizontally at chest height, he drives right in between the 3rd and 4rth rider, taking them out.*

Fallen rider: He’s got my hog!

Leader: Shit!

*Two members try to mimic what the boy did by each grabbing the end of a chain, and try to intercept the boy. The boy sees this, and jumps off the motorcycle at the last second. The motorcycle falls sideways and collide with the two rider’s bikes.*

Boy: two more bites the dust.

*from a faraway rooftop, Ranma and Akane observes the action with interest*

Ranma: That guy’s good…. maybe he doesn’t need my help after all…

Akane: no kidding….

Leader: all right, ferget the hogs, just gang up on him on the ground.

*Those riders who are not injured gets off their motorcycles, arms their weapons, and rush at the boy. The odds are 20 to 1. The boy backs up a bit, as a few drops of sweat runs down his cheek. As they mass upon him, he disables their weapons one by one by skillfully veering his bo to hit his opponents’ wrists and elbows, while at the same time deflecting attacks. He jumps high above a charging member, places his bo over his shoulder and aims it down on the enemy’s back, and as if he is playing billiards, and tips him so he crashes into several more people.*

Leader: those idiots!

*A few more gang members are disposed of by a some well placed punches and kicks, but in the process the boy suffered some hits as well. He stumbles back, and makes a dash to the other side of the playground. The available members engage in pursuit. In one quick motion, he unties the belt from his waist, which turns into a long flowing lace. Upon coming to a metal pole, he jumps forward, and hurls the lace at the pole as he passes. It wraps tightly around the pole. Using his jumping momentum, the boy makes a complete swing around the pole and surprise attacks his opponents from behind. While most of the original gang had fallen, some has managed to get up. The boy is now seemingly short of breath. He grips his bo tightly. Just as the gang members are closing in on him, he suddenly grips his ribs and stumbles.*

Ranma: *his eyes shot wide open* His injuries!

Leader: get the bastard now!

*With a loud yell, the remaining members rushes forth to deal the final assault. The boy strains himself back into position, but before he can make his move, Ranma jumps in with a flying kick to take the first person out, then takes out a couple more with his patented skills.*

Ranma: *looks behind him at the boy* You ok?

*Just as Ranma turns, one member suddenly springs up out of no where behind Ranma. The boy rushes forth, moves Ranma aside, and hits his palm against the attacker’s chest. The attacker goes on a trip and flies back till he crashes against a tree.*

Ranma: *blinks* Gee, thanks, but I could have taken care of him.

Leader: *angrily looks at Ranma* Just who the hell do you think you are!

Ranma: *looks at the leader with one of his overconfident smiles* I’m Ranma, Saotome Second Generation, of the Musabetsu Kakutou school of martial arts.

Leader: You just cost me a lot of money! *reaches into his leather jacket and pulls out a pistol* Now you die!!

*Ranma gasps. The leader fires, but almost simultaneously as the sound from blast from his gun, he hears a loud “ting!”. The boy has deflected his bullet with the metal bo. He fires the remaining shell from the pistol, with the same result. Ranma just stares.*

Leader:  you #$^@!!!!

*He charges both of them. The boy intercepts him, and delivers a light chop to the gang member’s stomach. The leader stops, grips his stomach, and falls to the ground.*

Ranma: *snaps out of it* come on, lets get out of here. *goes to where he left Akane*

*The boy nods, and follows him*

*At a safer location, at another street.*

Akane: *looking kind of angry* Ranma, you could have gotten yourself killed!

Ranma: Hey lighten up Akane, scum like that can’t hurt me in a million years.

Boy: Shè shè! Thanks for helping me back there…

Ranma: Yeah…. I figured your wounds are starting up again

Boy: You know I was hurt? So you were the family that saved me?

Ranma: Well… we’re not exactly family… *glances at Akane*

Akane: Yeah, I can’t possibly be related to this jerk.

Ranma: *glares at Akane* Anyway, just who are you? Is like everyone in Japan after you or something?

Boy: *looks away* I guess you can say that….

Akane: Just what is your name anyway?

Boy: oh…. Sorry, I’m Trale.

Female Voice: So it IS you….

*Ranma and Akane turns to see the owner of the voice. The boy also turns and looks.*

Ranma: Utchan!

Ukyou: Trale Kumonashi, long time no see.

~~ I hope you enjoyed this beginning of my new series. By now you may have several questions in your mind. Who is Trale? What does he have to do with Ukyou, and more importantly what does he have to do with the story? And why the scene with Ryouga fighting the 3 thieves? What is Mana Corp? The mystery slowly unravels in upcoming parts! ~~

Tony Chen
(Ranma Nibunnoichi)