The Gift Of Heaven

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I do not own Ranma 1/2 and its associated characters. They belong to the Queen of Manga: Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own Rurouni Kenshin and its associated characters. They belong to Nubuhiro Watsuki. No profit can or shall be made on this work, it is fiction and therefore the result of too many beers and an excessive amount of free time. Now on with the show

(P.S. Constructive critism is always welcome however bear in mind that i have only watched the Rurouni Kenshin anime rather than read the manga, pity us poor English people without the intelligence to learn Japanese)

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The Gift Of Heaven Chapter One: The Wanderer....Returns

"Welcome to Nerima: Home to death defying battles at least twice a week, three hundred year old martial artists and regular vacation spot of girl-hungry royalty. All those who wish to contact Ranma Saotome regarding engagements, slighted honor or life threating quests must do so through his Public Relations Advisor: Nabiki Tendo

Cell Phone Number: 3456 9087"

The Wanderer stared up at the sign that hung over the entrance to the Nerima Ward, Tokyo. After reading it carefully a number of times a large sweatdrop appeared on the back of his head and then, still sweating profusely, he spoke the only word that would convey the mixed feelings he held regarding the sign's contents.

"ORO?!!"

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Ranma Saotome awoke with the rising of the sun. Staring out of his window he sighed at the futility of it all. Life in general had become rather unbearable as of late and he had the sinking feeling it wasn't going to get any better.

After the battle with Saffron he had publically declared his love for his uncute tomboy of a fiancee and for a moment had believed he could be happy spending the rest of his life with her. This feeling had only grown stronger by the sight of Akane in her wedding dress, smiling in that cute way of hers as he awaited her at the alter. However due to Nabiki's meddling their wedding had become a battlefield, he still couldn't believe the way his friends had acted. Shampoo he could sort of understand. She came from a backward culture that bordered on obsessive when it came to the issue of matrimony. In her mind Akane was an obstacle and obstacles are for killing but Ucchan....her involvement he couldn't understand.

These feelings of betrayal paled in compared to the ones that accompanied his discovery that Akane was aware that the Nannichuan (spring of the drowned man) water had arrived addressed to him and that their fathers had kept it so as to realize their dreams of uniting the schools.

Suddenly things had become far more perilous for our favourite pig-tailed martial artist. After the wedding Akane had reverted back to her old self, namely declaring him a pervert at every opportunity and then "punishing" him with that damn mallet of hers. The other fiancees had taken up the chase again after giving him about a week to cool off and Pops along with Mr Tendo were refusing to acknowledge his existence until he publically apologized to Akane for ruining her wedding (hmm how true is this I wonder - daval18) and marry her to make up for it. It was actually quite refreshing not having to worry about those two bozos.

As for Nabiki and Kasumi.... well Kasumi appeared as oblivious as ever, her ever sweet temperment prevented her from directly challenging her father's judgement but Ranma had noticed that there appeared to be a lack of sake in the house recently and that she sometimes convieniently "forgot" how many people were in the family, therefore not preparing enough dinner for Pops or in some cases Mr Tendo.

Nabiki, on the other hand, appeared remorseful for her involvement in the wedding caper. She had cancelled Ranma's debt and apologized to him. She still took photos of his cursed form but at least now they were tasteful and she was always willing to listen to him spill his grievences to the world. Only last night he had told her of his feelings towards Akane and how it hurt him when she refused to trust him. Unfortunately as Nabiki had hugged him, trying to console him then who should walk in but Akane herself and in a flash of A.J. (Akane Judgement), had yelled at him for groping her sister and malleted him into the canal, three miles away.

"Still", thought Ranma,"It was nice to be hugged, just once, by someone who understands what I'm going through"

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The Wanderer awoke, wondering why on earth the ground appeared to be trembling. Looking up from his position against an old oak tree, he saw the sign he had read yesterday had been dismantled and in its stead stood a brand new Starbucks. Construction equipment was now driving away, each of the workers munching on a complementry donut. Once again the sweatdrop appeared.

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Ranma exited the guest room, sparing a glance for the old Panda who lay curled up in his futon. He played with the idea of tossing him out of the window but discounted it as to do so would be inviting a lengthy monologue about ungrateful sons. On an even more negative note the noise that would result from the old windbag's tirade would most likely wake the mallet-happy tomboy, who no doubt would blame him and bash him for something trivial like being alive.

He was just about to go into the yard to practise when Akane's door opened. He froze, expecting the cry of "PERVERT!!!" to fill the air. When it never came he glanced down and then clenched his fists at the sight of "P-chan" who had just strutted out, looking pleased about something.

Ranma's battle-aura flared

"RYYYYOOOOOOGGGGGGAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

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The Wanderer turned at the sound of the shout in the distance and blinked as a small black blur barrelled into him sending him flying into the air. After landing painfully among a stack of old boxes, he shook his head to rid himself of the feelings of disorientation. Glancing up he saw a boy, about 17 years of age disappearing into the distance after the creature. Suddenly his face took on a startled appearance as for the second time that day as he felt the earth tremble. Many sweatdrops appeared as he turned slowly to glance over his shoulder.

"ORO!!!"

The entire Martial arts population of Nerima was thundering towards him, a dust cloud following in their wake. (think Ranma 1/2: the first movie)

"Boy!, You will marry Akane today!"

"Quite right Saotome!"

"I am not marrying that perverted jerk!! Stop picking on P-chan Ranma!"

"Ranchan honey come and try my new breakfast Okinomiyaki selection"

"Airen no eat Spatula Girl food, Airen come back to China with Shampoo, yes??"

"Saotome you will pay for stealing my beloved Shampoo"

"Son-in-law accept your fate"

"Hotcha, model this for your poor old master won't you Ranma-chan"

"The vengence of Hea- urk!!!"

"Shut up brother dear! Ranma-sama wait for me"

and so on and so forth

The Wanderer did the only sensible thing and ran ahead of the crowd, unable to dodge to either side. Besides that mallet held by what appeared to be a maternally enraged gorilla looked like it could really hurt someone!

Putting on a burst of speed he sought to catch up to the boy ahead of him, maybe he could explain what this was about.

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Ranma sneezed and then turned from chasing the perverted pig , distracted by the presence of another approaching him at a speed that was almost frightening. Behind him, gaining fast, was a boy who could be no older than himself. He wore a navy blue schoolboy's uniform and a long thin package along his back that for some reason called an image of his mother to mind. His red hair and violet eyes were striking. Ranma wondered what he could have done now to invite the wrath of a total stranger. He slowed and then stopped, turning to face his pursuer.

"Whaddaya want", he grumbled, "Look I didn't do it on purpose what ever it was and I ain't gonna pay for it if my Pops stole it." He let out a sigh then refocused his attention on the newcomer, his eyes flashing dangerously "However if you just wanna fight well", he lowered himself into a fighting stance, "Ranma Saotome don't lose"

The Wanderer stopped "This One only wishes to know what you did to merit being chased by half of the town" he paused, then smiled brightly in a way that would shame Kasumi, "and if we're asking questions then this One may as well ask for directions to Furinken High School"

Ranma blinked and then looked past the Wanderer at the rising dust cloud. Taking in what had just been said he asked "you new here??"

The Wanderer merely nodded in reply

"Ahh, that explains it .... youseetheyallwanttokillmeormarrymeanditsallmystupidpopsfaultnotminesopleaseIdontneedanymoreenemiesjustleavemealoneandpickonsomeoneelse (preferably Moose or Ryoga)" Ranma blurted out all in one breath. "As for Furinken turn right, then left, then straight on ahead until you see a dented, carved and burnt brick wall, from there step two paces to the right and you'll be staring at the front gate to Furinken High."

The Wanderer bowed to Ranma, "This One thanks you for your assistance..." he paused "how many wish to marry you again?"

"Four"

"And the ones who wish to kill you..."

"All the rest I'm afraid"

The Wanderer extracts himself from the floor after a good old Japanese face fault, chuckling good-naturedly. "I see." he paused. "well it was an honour to meet you Ranma-san"

Ranma sweatdropped at the tone used, "Ya...well the honour was mine"

"Bye"

As the Wanderer turned and walked in the direction of Furinken, Ranma called after him, "Yo! whats your name ?"

As the Wanderer turned, a smile upon his innocent face, Ranma felt a bond with this young man as if here was another who understood the depths of his suffering.

"You may call me Shinta......Shinta Himura"

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END OF CHAPTER 1

Next Time: Ranma learns of a secret that shatter his entire world (mwahaahaa i love these teasers) and Shinta faces an enemy worse than Shakespeare

By the way Shinta is basically Kenshin with a little Shoujiro thrown in (cos he rocks)

And yes Shin does know Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu

And no he and Ranma are not related

(P.S : Unless you haven't guessed I am a proud Akane basher, Don't hate me for it but rather praise me for my ready wit and my ability to express myself without playing up to public opinion. I see her as deranged and maybe slightly psychopathic, a perfect match for Ryoga or Kuno in my opinion. I need a matchup scheme for Ranma, who should he end up with (this could become a multi-crossover). all ideas are welcome.)

Send your questions, comments and ideas

Thanks and see ya (daval18 vanishes in a puff of green smoke)