Author's Notes - I decided to do this another way, seeing as the common thought was that it made no sense. So here you go, a more,... natural meeting,... for Ranma that is lol. Now, if you don't know this by now, you don't pay attention to my writing, but these tend to be a tad, bit, partial, LOT AU :P

Ranma - After Saffron Saga

Naruto - Same day Naruto and Sakura set out after Sasuke together.

Disclaimer - I don't own either Ranma1/2, nor do I own Naruto (not so 1/2). I do however wish I owned them both, then I wouldn't be stuck at work right now, I would be sleeping like the majority of the NORMAL people (it's 5:53am, and I work midnights last night)

------------------------- The Terrible Trio ------------------------

Ranma rolled to the side as he narrowly avoided a giant ball and mace, thown by the residential hidden weapons master. Giving a small frown, since he knew Mousse would never see it, Ranma leapt forward, half heartedly attempting to swat it out of Mousse's hands "Hasn't anyone told you it's not nice to play with dangerous toys!"

Hearing the voice, Mousse quickly yanked back on the chain, causing the spiked end of the ball to lift off of the ground toward Ranma's stomach "Stand still Saotome!"

Looking at the spikes with a small amount of surprise, Ranma gently pressed his palm against one of the openings, and pushed off of it -Hmm,... Mousse has gotten stronger- Twisting in mid-air, Ranma lashed out and kicked Mousse in the solar plexes, causing him to double over, and losing his grip on the chain. Watching with a sigh as the weapon landed uselessly on the ground, Ranma stood to his full height and shook his head at the downed Mousse "Come on man,... why do you continue to fight me? It stopped being fun a while ago"

Fighting to get his breath back, Mousse glared daggers at Ranma's calm form -Damn him,... how dare he look down on a Joketsu warrior!- Finally getting his breath back, Mousse stood up and started toward the bored looking Ranma "DIE SAOTOME!"

Looking at him with mild disinterest, Ranma sighed and shook his head "Listen Mousse,... why don't you just leave me alone. I'm sick and tired of constantly fighting, for what you guys seem to think, my life. To be honest, I fought for the thrill of the fight, but since Saffron, that hasn't been around. You guys are,... for the lack of better wording,... nusince's."

Coming to a slow stop, Mousse stared at Ranma with a slack jawed look on his face -That's how he thinks of me?- He thought about it for a momoent before frowning -I always thought we were closer than this- he looked at Ranma for a moment before he noticed the lack of sweat, or even concentration on the fight -Gods,... He's serious. He hasn't even thought about fighting seriously!- Staring at the ground, Mousse finally realized just what he was trying to do. With a determined look, his head jerked up and stared at Ranma, a humbled look on his face "Ranma Saotome,... this one is honored you saw fit to spare his life" Mousse wanted to smile at Ranma's awed look, but continued regardless "Since you have saved this one's life on more counts than one, he pledges to you his servitude until his death"

Fighting the need to fall to the ground in shock, Ranma stared at Mousse "I don't get it Mousse,... what's the gimmick?"

Feeling a sharp stab in his chest at Ranma's doubting tone, Mousse frowned "Listen Saotome,... It's been a while since I have been humbled. But listening to you call me, and everyone else out to kill you, a nusince... well,... it's opened my eyes if you'll pardon the expression."

Ranma nodded for a second before sitting down on the ground, still staring at Mousse "You'll hafta forgive me for being skeptic." Seeing Mousse smile, Ranma frowned "Still,... why your life? I just want to sit down and be able to rest without people attacking me"

Mousse sighed for a second before looking down at Ranma's relaxed form "I ask for your forgiveness for all my attempts Ranma-san. However,... you understand my predicament."

Staring at him for a second, Ranma nodded, somewhat believing him now "I understand why you were doing it,... but damnit,... it's my life you were intruding on!"

Becoming slightly flushed in embarassment, Mousse nodded "I know this Sao,... Ranma-san. I once more apologize, but I guess I just felt this would be the only way for me to defeat you" He gave a sharp chuckle before smirking at Ranma, 'causing the pigtailed boy to shudder "Comes to find out, that you never even tried during our fights. All our battles, I saw you so uncaring about the outcome, and I thought it was just a way to enrage me. Now,... it's all so obvious,... you just never thought of me as a threat"

Standing up, Ranma brushed his pants off and gave Mousse a small smile "Listen man,... I'm sorry about it" Seeing Mousse aobut to interupt, Ranma raised his hand "I know it must've been a blow to your ego right now, and I'm sorry. But it's just that,... you were my biggest rival next to the old ghoul. You always kept me on my toes, and constantly surprised me with your new techniques." He gave a shy smile, as though afraid of what was soon to be said "Honestly,... until just now,... I really respected you because you continued fighting me." Shaking his head, and losing the smile, Ranma let out a sigh "But seeing you like this right now,... it makes me feel even worse"

Mousse was gaping at Ranma in surprise, gone was the naive boy he used to fight -By the goddess,... Saotome's been hiding more than his skill!- Standing before him was a fully matured adult, talking to Mousse as though he was a child "Ranma-san,... since when-"

Turning to look at him, Ranma frowned "Since my return from China. I took everything seriously, short of the fights. The thrill was gone after I killed a god,... a freaking GOD" Seeing Mousse cringe, Ranma sighed "Listen,... I value you as a friend-" Mousse was about to object, but Ranma just smiled "It's sad, but it's true. I have very few friends. You were among the closest, right up there with Kasumi and even Nabiki." Mousse's eyes went wide that thought "That's right, since we returned from China, and no one said a thing about what went on there, Nabiki did some snooping and bullying. She found out what happened, and she started to listen to me more. I can't tell if it's fear, or if she actually cared about my sanity, but she was there. Kasumi though,... she's been listening and giving me bits of help since I first arrived. Sure there was the first few months where she was un-sure about how to handle a boy who turned into a girl with cold water, but she always listened."

By this time, Mousse's mouth was hanging open with shock -Ranma always thought of me as a friend?- He frowned again and shook his head "Then what do you think of Shampoo?"

Looking at the ground, a few tears escaping as his hell came to mind "I think I liked her at one time. But the constant attempts at raping me, drugging me and abducting me for her quest to return to the village has long since ruined those feelings. Before you even ask, Ukyouu is pretty much the same way, she was too overzelous in her emotions. Constantly throwing yourself at someone, only lowers your self esteem. I know Ukyou doesn't want me anymore,.."

Puzzled at the thoughts running through his head, Mousse tilted his head to the side "How can you be so sure?"

Finding the gesture just a little weird, and seeing how Ranma's life went, this was saying something "I probably shouldn't tell you this,... but me and Ukyou have kinda went our seperate ways. Until we can figure out a way to break the engagement, she will play her role, but never with her heart" Feeling a bit sad at that announcement, Ranma sighed "Listen man,... it's getting late and I wanna get home to Kasumi's dinner. I'll talk to you tomorrow or somethin' "

Seeing Ranma not even wait for a response, Mousse nodded to himself -You will Ranma,... that you will. We have much to talk about- he gave a sorrowful smile before sighing -Starting with how to break your promises to yourself, and everyone else- Mousse turned and walked the opposite way

--- Tendo Dojos, minutes later ---

Ranma walked through the door and kicked his shoes off, before slipping on his house slippers, and walked inside. Before he had even taken four steps inside, he was confronted by P-chan. Giving a soft, mostly unnoticeable sigh, Ranma just tried to walk past him. The second Ranma's foot was withing striking distance, P-chan bit down on his ankle, causing him to scream out "DAMNIT YA PORKER! What the hell do you think your doing!?"

As Ranma reeled back to strike the piglet, Akane came around the corner and screamed out "Damnit Ranma! Stop picking on P-chan!"

Putting his hands out in front of him, attempting to ward off her attack, Ranma growled out "I didn't do 'nuthin to the porker 'kane!" He grit his teeth in frustration as Akane didn't listen, and summoned her mallet -Damnit,... how the hell do I get into these things?-

Kasumi came around the corner, curious as to the amount of noise that was being made "Oh my, welcome home Ranma-kun" is what she would have said, if Ranma was staying. As she started out her sentence, Akane slammed her mallet into Ranma's chin, sending him through the rooftop, with a couple sickening thuds along the way "Oh my!"

Akane whirled around toward Kasumi, and gave a light blush as she attempted to hide the mallet behind her "K-Kasumi-neechan,..."

Getting a stern look on her face, which looked like a smaller smile, Kasumi took the mallet from Akane with slight ease "Akane-chan,... please refrain from hitting Ranma-kun-"

Before she could say some more, Akane frowned and shouted "But the pervert was picking on P-chan!"

Kasumi looked at the piglet in Akane's arms with a small amount of distatste -That damnable pig again,... one would think it didn't want Ranma and Akane to get close to each other- before giving a more stern smile "Akane-chan,... Ranma had just gotten home. How could he have picked on your precious P-chan in such a small amount of time?"

Coming around the corner, nibbling on a couple potato chips, Nabiki nodded "Akane, I happen to know that Ranma didn't say a word when he came in." Seeing her about to respond, Nabiki just waggled her finger "And don't you say that Ranma would've done it anyways, that's a lame excuse"

Snapping her jaw shut, Akane screamed in mental rage as her sisters took the perverts side "But he,... he was being mean to P-chan I just know it!" she looked down at the bundle in her arms and smiled warmly "Wasn't he P-chan!"

Seeing the pig nod up and down rather quickly, Nabiki frowned "Akane,... think about this for a second. Your asking a Pig for an opinion, yet you say that all men are perverts. This pig stares at you when you get undressed everyday. Doesn't that make you, or the pig, perverts?"

Akane was about to respond when the door opened once more, and a dripping wet Ranma-chan stepped into the house, a glare on her face -Damnit,... just my damn luck- Without saying a word, Ranma went to brush past Akane. He tried desperately to not show the anger in his face. So much, that the air around him was ice cold from him being so far into the soul of ice. He wanted to end it just there, so didn't say a word. Both Kasumi and Nabiki gave Ranma calm and calculating stares, before gasping when they noticed the large gash across the back of his head.

Feeling the warmth when he turned toward them, Kasumi stepped forward "Ranma-kun, come into the kitchen so we can get that fixed up"

Seeing that Ranma was about to say something, Nabiki walked up and took one of Ranma's arms, and held it against her body "Ranma, don't argue. That looks serious" Seeing the blush on Ranma's face made Nabiki tingle a bit, but banished it away at the seriousness of the situation "Did little sis do that?"

Being reminded of what just happened, Ranma let out a small growl "Yeah,... she hit me over into the abandoned house down the street. It's just my luck that all the cement was pulled up, so it provided quite the uncomfortable landing spot for me." Seeing the girls wanting to giggle, Ranma allowed a small smile "It hurt like hell, but it's kinda funny ain't it?"

Hearing that Ranma could joke about it, Nabiki took it as an affirmative for her to giggle "It's okay Ranma, just let Kasumi take care of you" She wanted to scream at her sister for her treatment of Ranma, but couldn't help but feel some worry over Ranma's injuries. Wringing her hands nervously as she couldn't do anything for him personally, Nabiki frowned.

Seeing Nabiki frown, Kasumi smiled warmly as she went to push the bandage into Nabiki's hands "Oh my Nabiki-chan, can you finish this up? I need to check on dinner, and I don't want to neglect Ranma-chan"

Nabiki blushed a bit as she found herself staring at Ranma's back, with bandages in her hand -Okay,... I can do this,...- she frowned as her hands started to shake as she got closer to Ranma, but took a deep breath and stabalized herself.

She was about to place the bandage against the gash when Ranma spoke "So,... gonna bandage me up or stare at me?"

Blushing furiously, Nabiki tried desperately to speak in a strong tone, but it only managed to squeak out "V-Very funny Ranma,..." she gave a light 'eep' when Ranma's hands grabbed her own, and started to do the bandages "I-I know how to do this you know." Once he finished tieing it off, Ranma stood up and shot Nabiki a soft smile before leaving the kitchen, and heading upstairs. Giving a sigh, Nabiki turned back toward Kasumi and shook her head "Ranma's losing it Oneechan,..."

Dropping her spoon into the soup, Kasumi let out a low 'oh my' before quickly retrieving her utensil, and looking worriedly at Nabiki "Whatever do you mean Nabiki-chan?"

Giving Kasumi a semi-worried glance, Nabiki let out a small groan "Oneechan,... you know I pride myself for knowing how Ranma reacts to everything" Seeing her nod, though a bit curt, Nabiki continued undaunted "Well, Ranma has been doing a couple things lately that even I don't believe he could do." Nabiki frowned for a moment and collected her thoughts, purposefully ignoring the glowering Akane in the corner, though keeping her eye on P-chan "Two weeks ago, when Ranma returned from China, there was a group of men who were shaking down kids from Furinkahn. Ranma decided to follow a couple students who had been shaken down before, and watched how it happened" Nabiki frowned for a moment before locking her emotions away behind a mask of indifference "When Ranma saw one of the men about to hit the student, Ranma broke his wrist without a second thought. Seeing Ranma like that,... Oneechan,... it scared me"

Kasumi wrapped her arms around the emotionally destraught girl, and shot Akane a disapproving glare as she went to stand up "Akane, you will sit there until I see fit for you to be loose in our home" Seeing Akane comply, though P-chan fighting in her grasp, Kasumi focused on Nabiki "Nabiki,... are you scared of Ranma,... or now that you know he is capable of hurting people" Feeling Nabiki tense in her arms, Kasumi smiled softly "Nabiki-chan,... you don't honestly think that Ranma would harm you, do you? I mean, Ranma is a,... a,... "she let out a small giggle before saying her thoughts "like a giant teddy bear,... Akane's proven that long ago. He won't hit a woman Nabiki-chan, and he always protects the weak"

Their conversation was interupted when a scream of "Ranma Prepare to die!" came from upstairs, followed closely by sounds of destruction, as they worked their way toward the outside.

Kasumi peaked around the corner, almost gingerly, and saw Ranma jumping outside through the patio door, seemingly defying gravity -Oh my- before he landed a ways away, and in front of the koi pond "Ranma-kun?"

Turning slightly to look at her, Ranma offered Kasumi a soft smile "Don't worry Kas-chan,... he only destroyed a wall before I managed to get him out of the house. I'll patch it up after I'm done with him, just give me a minute"

Roaring in rage, Ryoga slammed his umbrella where Ranma was once at, only to create a crater in the ground as Ranma deftly dodged "Stand still and face your punishment!"

Whirling around so that his palms were against Ryoga's back, Ranma gave a half hearted laugh "Come on Ryoga,... you couldn't hit the broadside of a barn!" Focusing his aura into his palms, Ranma let loose with a minor Ki blast, sending Ryoga flying forward and tumbling across the ground "As for standing still,... who the hell would do that?"

Sitting on a branch on the Tendo compound, Mousse watched the fight with little interest, already knowing who the winner would be -Hmm,... seems Ryoga is still trying to use pure power against Ranma. I wonder when he will realize that just won't work against him, or you would have to be so strong, it affects the land he WOULD land on, as opposed to the one he left- giving a low humm, Mousse dropped from the tree and made his way toward the fight "Hey Ranma"

Glancing at Mousse from the corner of his eye, as he half heartedly danced around all of Ryoga's attacks "Hey Mousse,... what are you doing here?"

Watching with amusement as Ryoga seemed to get red in the face, and his depression growing at the same time, Mousse shrugged his shoulders "I remembered something the Elder has that could help you with some of your more-" He eyed Ryoga with a small amount of anger "persistant problems."

Coming to a complete stop, Ranma lifted his arm, palm flat, toward Ryoga and effortlessly caught his punch "Really? What is it"

A little shocked at the show of strength, Mousse shrugged his shoulders -He killed a god,... you don't go through something like that without getting stronger- before tossing him a capped bottle "This is the Elixir of banishment" Seeing Ranma catch the potion, and examine it, Mousse elaborated "Whoever you splash it on, will be banished to a random universe. Usually in conjunction with the person's biggest flaw. For Ryoga, I'm guessing it's someplace where he can actually find"

Sharing a laugh with Mousse, Ranma went to open the bottle "Well, if this works, then my life will be a little less chaotic" Mousse saw Ranma look at the bottle for a moment, before shrugging and uncorking it "Here's to fate" Ryoga saw Ranma aim the bottle toward him and reacted quickly, faster than he ever has before, and kicked the bottle from his hands. Ranma saw the bottle tilt in the air, and sighed, letting out a low "Here's my luck for you" as he was splashed with the contents.

Watching Ranma fade into the darkness, Mousse gave him a sad smile "I'm sorry to say that I knew this would happen Ranma,... but you must believe me when I say I had your best interest at heart. In four years time you will be returned to this universe. Until then, get your life under control, and live somewhat normally"

Seeing the utter sincerity in Mousse's eyes, Ranma smiled warmly as the entire group had appeared in front of him "I thank you, Mousse of Joketsu, and I promise I will use this to my advantage" Seeing the guilt leaving him, Ranma couldn't resist shooting out "But I will kick your butt when I get back, of that, you can be sure. Believe it"(1) With that Ranma faded into nothingness, not even the grass he stood on disturbed.

--- Naruto Dimension ---

Tsunade, Anko, Hinata and Kurenai were all in the Konoha public bath when there was a displacement of air. Looking up, Anko was the first to express her disbelief "Did that guy just fuckin' appear out of nowhere?"

The other women were content with watching the boy fall from mid air, and slam into the water, stomach first -Ouch- was the common thought. Seconds later the boy resurfaced and looked around, his face partially red, though you couldn't tell from whether it was the fall, or all the naked women gawking at him "Uhh,... I'm Ranma Saotome,..." Seeing them start to get angry, short of Tsunade, who just stared at him creepily, Ranma put his hand behind his head and laughed "Sorry about this"

(1) - Reference to the american Naruto (as crappy as it is, it's funny when it comes to phrases) "Berieve it!" lol