The Sword's Scabbard 

By Kyokukou

Disclaimer : I don't own the characters from Ranma 1/2 only the 
characters that I write myself . So please don't sue me ! But if you try to use 
my characters .....there will be ...unpleasant consequences if I find out . Do 
not repost or reprint this without my permission , however if you do ASK there 
is a good chance I will let you .


" No man suffers injustice without learning , vaguely but surely , what justice 
is ."
                                            -Isaac Rosenfeld


Chapter 6
Man , that was a real trip

    She had been returning from the kitchen , and was headed for her room when 
the sound of the knocking on the door finally penetrated her thoughts . She had 
been deeply pondering what life would be like if Ranma married Akane , or Nabiki 
, but she did not dare wonder about marring him herself . She had been halfway 
through figuring out what Nabiki and Ranma's children might be like when the 
knocking had intruded . 
    Of course she had immediately abandoned the train of thought to answer the 
door . Sliding it open revealed a rather angry looking Shampoo .
" Oh my , Shampoo-san ." Her mind raced . How to warn Ranma without Shampoo 
knowing .
" Hello , is Red head here ?"
" I'm afraid not that I know of ." She answered truthfully .
" Then is Saotome boy here ?" 
" He is , would you like me to get him for you ?" 
" No I get him ." The Amazon raised her bonbori and took a step forward .
" I think he may be in the Dojo practicing ." She said as Shampoo brushed past 
her .
" Will look ." Was all the reply she got .
    Waiting a second to make sure the Amazon was gone she took a step outside . 
Looked up at the roof before leaping onto it . One more leap took her to the 
section above the window to the guest room . Holding onto the roof with one hand 
she swung down to look . 
    Ranma sat under the window , his back to the wall and a sheathed katana 
leaning on his shoulder . A closer look and she saw he was reading some old book 
that had seen better days . She took all of this in , in an instant because 
Ranma looked over his shoulder almost immediately after she had swung down . He 
was standing across the room with a bewildered look half a second later . 
    After placing the katana on a stand along with the wakazashi that was 
already there he crossed over and opened the window .
" Kasumi-san please tell me that it is not normal for you to hang from roofs and 
spy on people , please ." Ranma asked . 
" It's not ." She assured him . " But Shampoo is here , and she's looking for 
both of your forms I'm afraid ." 
" I know she's here ," He jerked his head towards the daisho on their stand . 
" but are you sure she's looking for both of me ?"
" She is ."
" Oh , great ." Ranma hung his head . " Um , could you move to the side a bit ?"
" Of course ." She complied . " But why ?" She was answered by Ranma climbing 
out to hang on the other side of the window from her .  
" Shampoo's coming up the stairs ." He explained before flipping onto the roof .
    She followed just as she heard the door inside being shoved open . Both 
froze in place on the shingles as they listened to the hurried steps below .
"< Where are they ?>" Shampoo growled .
    The pair relaxed only after they heard the door was roughly slid shut . 
" Great ..." Ranma stretched out on the shingles . " Any suggestions ?"
" Um..." She found herself at a loss .
" It's okay , it's my problem Kasumi-san . Thanks for warning me too ."
" I couldn't have done otherwise ." She smiled at him .
" I guess I better get to it ." He sat up .
" To what ?"
" If I don't let her find me then she might start taking hostages ." He 
explained , not looking at her . " So I let her find me and we work this out one 
way or another ." 
    Something in the final tone he used set off warning bells in her mind .
    Those were confirmed when she watched him jump down to the backyard and face 
the house . A darkly determined look was set on his face .
" Ranma don't !" She heard Genma call from the patio where he had been playing 
shogi with her father .
" SHAMPOO !" Ranma bellowed . 
    A flurry of violet hair and bonbori exploded from the patio and into the 
yard . It resolved into Shampoo , who stood in a ready stance .
"< You're not going to run away this time ?>" 
    Ranma winced before replying . " No . It's time to end this ."
" If I beat you , will you take me to Ranma ?" She switched to Japanese .
" Hai ." Ranma answered before falling into the same stance he used on Ryouga .
    The pair charged each other at the same instant . Shampoo striking out with 
her Bonbori , Ranma catching both steel balls in his hands .
    Jerking a knee up Shampoo connected to Ranma's solar plexus , freeing her 
bonbori . In a double swing she aimed both bonbori for his head . Ranma twisted 
out of the way of both and into a lighting fast spin kick that launched one of 
Shampoo's weapons off into L.E.O* . He followed up with a backfist that Shampoo 
blocked with her now free hand . Feinting with her remaining weapon she followed 
up with a flurry of repeat punches aimed all over her opponent . 
    Ranma's hand flashed around , and took each blow in the palm , catching the 
final one as she overextended herself by a centimeter . Pulling his opponent 
forward he punched out with the other . 
    Shampoo flashed her bonbori out of the way of another disarming blow . 
Twisting out of his grip she backpedaled . With a grin she began to circle him 
until he had his back to the koi pond hers to the house . 
" Bakusai Tenketsu ." Shampoo barked as she threw her bonbori at Ranma . Which 
exploded soon after leaving her hands .
    Shielding himself from the shrapnel Ranma was knocked into the koi pond .
" Oh my ." She breathed to herself .
    A very female Ranma leapt out of the water .
"< YOU !>" Shampoo shouted furiously , before something clicked in her mind .
"< Wait - but how - you were ...>" 
" You were defeated by my cursed form ." Ranma began calmly . " A male is my 
true form . You can't kill and marry me at the same time ."
"< I......>" Shampoo trailed off before raising her head back in a frustrated 
scream that ended up in a sorrowful keen . Tears steaming from her eyes the 
Amazon fled the Tendo residence .
" Well that wasn't how I thought she's take it ?" Ranma's words were casual and 
unconcerned , but from her vantage point she saw deep regret and guilt on his 
face . 
    Before Ranma could even walk halfway back to the house he was assailed by 
the other residents of the Tendo Dojo . Not seeing any reason to get involved in 
Ranma's interrogation she eased herself back to the window . 
    The book that Ranma had been reading was still lying there . Curiosity 
filled her . She almost started at the sudden upsurge of the unfamiliar emotion 
. It wasn't that she had no inquisitiveness in her , it was just her nature 
normally limited it to learning and polite questions . This was too close to 
intrusion on privacy to be dismissed . Still , the book , the very sight of it , 
called to her in a way that shocked and excited her at once . It was the fact 
that the book was something Ranma had been reading , not in the living room , or 
outside , but in private , with his sword . She had been in the room many times 
to clean it , and had all but memorized the books Ranma had on the shelf . This 
was something she had never seen before . 
    A sudden gust of wind made her acutely aware that she had been hanging 
outside the window for quite some time , paralyzed with indecision . Finally she 
found herself snatching the book , flipping onto the roof before leaping from 
roof to roof towards the park with all the speed she had in her . Which was 
incredibly fast considering she was by far the fastest of the Tendo sisters . 
    When conscious thought returned she was sitting on the branch of her 
favorite tree . Looking about guiltily she sighed . Though she wasn't hidden 
well only those that knew about the tree could pick her out through the branches 
. Those that did would be far from surprised to see her reading there . 
   Opening the worn tome her eyes met a watercolor painting of a strange 
landscape . Near the bottom she saw a swordsman standing near the edge of the 
cliff . Her eyes widened when she realized that quite a bit of flesh showed 
through Ranma's tattered keikogi and hakama . Both his swords were naked and in 
his hands , raised in a majestic stance that was both beautiful and menacing at 
once , just like the luster of a blade .
    Turning the page she found columns and columns of sharp , precise 
calligraphy .


                            Forging a Living Kodachi 

           I realize that the idea of a living weapon , a sword that carries the                                
sword , is far from original . In fact , what is the goal of any warrior other 
than to make himself a weapon , neh ? Yet , in my musings it gradually dawned 
upon me of a way yet -to my knowledge- untried . To remove the weakness that all 
warriors seek to expunge from themselves by discipline , training , and 
meditation . This weakness is instilled in us by the simple truth that we are 
not weapons we are people , we are human . Our minds , our thoughts are far to 
complex for the simple purity that a weapon must have . A animal is almost a 
weapon , a animal does not have to be taught how to kill , it simply does so 
with the precision and efficiency that nature has instilled in it . Yes , this 
has been evoked in humans before . The Neko-ken is one instance . However , the 
Neko-ken is flawed . Neko-ken does draw out the raw power of the primal nature 
of Man , and projecting it through the persona of a cat . Making one invincible 
to all but the masters of combat . But all it does is reduce Man back to an 
animal , nothing more , nothing less , but one trades the power of man for that 
buried deep within . What I propose is something that blends the two . To purify 
the mind , but not losing it as one does after succumbing to the Neko-ken . 
Imagine it ! The power of the Neko-ken guided by the intact mind of a man . 
Independent thought , tactics , skill , adaptability , and the most important of 
all , it could be controlled absolutely .
           But who to develop this new technique on ? The Neko-ken requires 
youth , strong body , a bit of original fighting skill , and a strong will and 
mind . As a precautionary measure I have only selected subjects that fit these 
criteria . The first I shall forge into my living Tanto . A small step , but the 
first one . I found that one of my maids was fitting . The daughter of a 
crippled samurai who serves me seemed at first a unlikely choice . Yet , the 
girl has a will surpassing most of my fighting vassals . She chose from an early 
age to carry a daisho . And after interviewing her iinazuke I know of her body's 
endurance . So I took her aside under the pretext of training for a Hitokiri spy 
. Which I suppose is really not that far from the truth , neh ?



" Oh my ..." She closed the book before she dared read further and stared out 
into the sky . 
    Hadn't Genma told her that when Ranma's eyes change to white or silver that 
he was the 'Living Kodachi' ? What was this book ' Forging a Living Kodachi' 
doing in Ranma's hands ? Opening it to a random page farther down from where she 
stopped she began to skim it's contents .



           The strength of the Neko-ken is that a simple village boy can be  
changed into a beast of war that tears through dozens of samurai before even a 
scratch can be made on it . To accomplish this the boy is covered in fish oil 
and guts before being locked in a pit of staving cats until his physical limit 
it reached and surpassed . This is repeated for approximately a week or less 
until the transformation occurs and the victim breaks free . All but those of 
the strongest mind and will remain lost in the Neko-ken until death . Those that 
do break free of it show a unreasoning fear of cats . Rightly so , for if that 
fear reaches a breaking point they revert back to the Neko-ken .



" How awful ..." She skipped a few pages .



           After this failure I was much more cautious in my approach and 
selection . Only a year after the death of my Wakazashi that I found possibly 
the best candidate yet . A young samurai that came into my service , a Saotome 
Ranma . This copy is specifically about his creation and for him to read when I 
decide it is time . 
           I presume that whoever is reading this is doing so either by my 
orders or you are Saotome Ranma , my Living Kodachi . 
           In the interval between my failure with my Living Wakazashi and 
finding Ranma I revised and meditated on my discoveries and missteps . I was 
only beginning to consider another attempt when Ranma was brought to my 
attention . He was very young for someone who was famed for his prowess in 
battle . Oddly it was not the fact that he could defeat swordsmen empty handed 
that had fought longer than he had lived , or his spectacular strategic mind 
, and ludicrous learning curve that set tongues wagging about him .



    Almost shaking she looked up from the book . So it was true , Ranma had been 
made into this 'Living Kodachi' . Her unreasonable desire to learn more about 
Ranma had definitely taken a turn for the worse . But the man that had done this 
to him had made this book so that he could understand what had been done . Why 
would such a man care ? In her philosophy there were evil people beyond 
redemption , and everyone else . Everyone else deserved the benefit of the doubt 
, a second chance , and all the help they would accept . Evil were beyond all 
help or hope in this world . Only a evil person could do this to someone , neh ? 
Still doubt lingered . 
    After the line about this copy being specifically made for Ranma she noticed 
a side note that told the reader to read it in the order specified . Seeming the 
logical place to begin she turned to the page number indicated .



           Ranma-kun , you were the perfect choice . I had already learned that 
you were a survivor of Neko-ken training , and were strong enough to return from 
the madness . Your ability to learn at a phenomenal rate . I watched you learn a 
opponent's technique simply by seeing it a few times , before long you master 
what the one you learned it from has yet to . So as you may remember I took you 
into my room for a private audience one afternoon . Over tea we talked and you 
agreed to submit to what I told you was 'as horrible as Neko-ken training but 
the power gained is even greater' . You agreed to obey your liege lord like the 
samurai you are . 
           As I recall from my walks in your mind , you remember the arcane 
journey to the end of the earth quite clearly . So I shall simply cease that 
from here . What follows is the diary of sorts that I kept as I forged you into 
what you are now . Throughout I have placed notes from the time of this writing 
, so that you may further understand what I did and why . And perhaps you may 
know why I will regret what I had to do eternally , but I shall never apologize 
for it .

           This "end of the world" is at once strange and familiar . The 
vegetation is exactly what grows in Japan and the barbarian lands , but the 
landscape is far from it . The sky , even in midday is of violet hues , shifting 
into the colors of flesh and blood a sun set . Disturbing and beautiful at once 
. I have brought us to a cave in the foothills of a mountain range that appears 
more like a forest of tree stumps . The tops are level but the rest is mountain 
, as if some Kami shaved off them with a great sword . The climate is wonderful 
, warm in the day with cool breezes , and balmy nights with the ever present 
light winds . I have Ranma live in the cave while I retire to a shelter by a 
waterfall some distance away .

           After we were adjusted I began as I have always , by breaking the 
defenses . Using memories of his Neko-ken training I quickly tore away the boy's 
mind . Only to have him rally against me instinctively .(Do not feel shame in 
this , was as natural as breathing) He has no composure , verbal skills , and 
his will is weakened , but still his mind has set the fortifications and now I 
lay siege . It is only a matter of time .

           Yesterday I broke his mental fortress . Now I lay waste to his mind 
with haste . I cannot allow him time to rally against me once more . Still , the 
fact that he could , out of sheer instinct causes me to sigh with joy . Indeed I 
chose wisely , he is stronger than I knew , but were is the limit ? I must find 
his and rend it asunder !
  
           Traditional methods are not enough . I am making less progress every 
day . Soon the tide shall reverse . But , now I have devised new ways . I shall 
attack what I would have normally waited until I had conquered to alter if I did 
at all . I shall turn the pillars of his self definition against him . First I 
took the figure that he trusted and knew all his life , his father . By illusion 
and manipulation of his memory I took the form of Saotome Genma , and beat Ranma 
into submission both physically and mentally . Then I faked my own demise in a 
impossible way . In one fell swoop I had turned what he drew strength from 
against him and then took it away in a scene of madness . I have repeated the 
process over and over , systematically with everyone he cares for . But I am 
puzzled , the places , the events , the people , and everything in his childhood 
memories . None of it I can place clearly . Saotome Ranma is not from ...this 
country ? this world ? What ?! Regardless I press on . That is a mystery that 
can wait .(Much later as you may recall you told me the truth , and as ludicrous 
as it seemed I know it to be true . The implications of it still boggle my mind 
even as I write this note to you)

           It is done ! I am victorious at long last . After two whole months of 
battle I have destroyed the being known as Saotome Ranma . As I write this he 
lies at my feet , with nether the will nor the capacity to even move . He 
breaths , his heart beats , but his eyes see nothing , his mind is silent . I 
know it is far from empty , only inactive , a ship unmanned . Thus I feel as 
vacant as his eyes . I reduced a samurai that though below my station and under 
my control I still respected . I reduced him to this . Still , duty does not 
recognize regret . Now I shall set about the great task . I shall alter this 
young man further than ever I have dared alter any . I begin .



    Shuddering she closed the book . Tucked it under her arm before leaping off 
, heading for home . She had learned enough , too much in fact . It was time to 
have a talk with Ranma .
" But how do I explain how I got the book ?" She asked herself as she leaped 
from roof to roof .
" I'll tell the truth , that's all I can do ."
    So it was resolutely that she leapt from the Dojo roof to the window to 
Ranma's room . To find a very dark Ranma sitting on he windowsill . Giving a 
small cry of alarm she thrust out with her free hand to catch the roof and both 
feet to the walls on ether side of the window .
" Konnichiwa Kasumi-san ." Ranma snorted in a annoyed tone , his head bowed , 
and hair obscuring his features .
    Her momentum spent , her legs slid off the wall and dangled precariously in 
the air . 
" Read any good books 'o mine lately ?" Ranma continued .
    She had planned on telling him the truth then pressing on to discuss what 
this 'Living Kodachi' . But being so blatantly confronted with her crime broke 
all her resolve . She felt hot tears well up and her vision burred . Swinging 
forward she thrust her arms around Ranma's shoulders .
" RANMA-SAN I'M SO SORRY !" She sobbed into his shoulder before they hit the 
floor together . 
" n-nnan ?" Ranma squeaked .
" I picked up the book and after I saw the title-" She began confessing into his 
shoulder . " Uncle Saotome told me something about a 'Living Kodachi' and 
IjusttookitI'msorry !" She finished in a rush .
" I-uh-um-you-I- " Ranma stammered . " Um-Kasumi-san did you read some of it ?"
    Raising her head off of his shoulder she looked into his eyes . She expected 
dark violet or blue , but instead she met two wide -almost panicking- pale gray 
eyes . They held none of the anger or resentment that she expected for her crime 
. Only a sort of concern . It was just too much .
" I must be punished ." She told him earnestly . " What can I do to make up for 
it ?" She asked him urgently .
" Um-well for starters before your Father fin-" He never finished .
" AH HA !" A loud voice proclaimed , freezing them both . " TENDOOOOOO-KUN ! 
COME QUICK !" Genma shouted from the doorway . 
    Soun practically flew up the stairs , before she could even finish looking 
up at the doorway her father was standing there beside Genma . The pair looked 
at their children then at each other before breaking into huge grins . 
" Already !" Genma whooped . " Tendo-kun are we good at this or what ?"
" The best !" Soun nodded vigorously . " My eldest daughter , gentle Kasumi , I 
never thought you had such initiative !" Soun was suddenly kneeling beside her 
and patting her back .
    Suddenly she was acutely conscious of the fact that in their landing they 
had ended up in a compromising position . Ranma was basically spread eagle , she 
was straddling him with her arms around his neck .
" Tendo-kun !" Genma appeared beside his old friend with saké cups and bottle in 
hand . " When will the wedding be ? Tomorrow or this weekend ?" 
" Yamero .." Ranma protested weakly .
" Oh my ..." She blinked as the potential disaster of the situation finally 
dawned on her .
" What's wrong boy !?" Genma chuckled after downing a cup of saké . " You don't 
look like a man with such a beautiful girl in such a-" Genma knelt down to put 
his face in Ranma's . "-promising position , neh ?" 
    Due to Genma's head being in the way she couldn't see what kind of look 
Ranma was giving his father , but whatever it was it was more than enough . The 
bottle and cup fell from suddenly limp fingers . The older man started to shake 
as if freezing to death .
" I told you not to call me -" Ranma said the word in a quiet way that terrified 
her in a primal way . "-boy ."
    Ranma's hand shot out to catch the limp body of his fainted father , and 
direct it's fall off to the side . 
" S-Saotome-kun ?" Soun blinked crawling over to his fainted friend . Only to be 
caught by Ranma's hand . Ranma pulled her father into a position almost 
identical to what Genma's had been . 
" Are Kasumi-san and I going to be forced to marry tomorrow ?" Ranma asked in a 
soft voice that carried smooth power like a slow but unstoppable glacier .
    Her father started out nodding affirmative to quickly change to frantic 
shaking negative .
" And what about any other time this entire year ?" Ranma continued .
    She had to lean back to avoid the flurry of long black hair swishing as her 
father shook his head franticly .
" Good , 'cause if you ever try to force -" Ranma emphasized the word with a 
malevolent pause . "- Kasumi to marry against her wishes , well ..." Ranma 
trailed off after her father joined his friend in blissful unconsciousness . 
" Sorry I had to do that Tendo-san ." Ranma said in his normal tones as he eased 
her father to the floor . 
" Oh my ." Was all that came out of her mouth . " Hai , real intelligent Kasumi 
, real intelligent ." She mentally chided herself .
" Now ," Ranma said to himself before looking up at her . " Um..Kasumi-san..."
" Hai ?" 
" Could you ..um...do you mind getting off me ?" Ranma asked her with the 
strangest look on his face .
" Wha-OH !" She nearly leapt off of him once again realizing how compromising 
the position was . " I'm so sorr-"
" Not now ." Ranma cut her apology off . " Can we go someplace private and have 
a talk ?"
" Of course !" She nodded . " I know a place in the park ."
" Great ." He stooped to retrieve the book . " Then let's go ."
" Ranma-san , what about our Fathers ?" She asked before they headed out .
" So what if Akane-san or Nabiki-san finds them passed out by a spilled bottle 
of saké ?" Ranma said with a mischievous glint in his eyes . " You know what 
they'll assume ."
" Do you do that sort of thing often to your Father ?" She asked after they were 
well away from the Dojo .
" Yeah !" The smile on Ranma's face was a mix of controlled anger and childish 
mischief . " I got fifteen years ta get back at him for ."
" Fifteen ?" She asked , confused .
" I don't blame him for my little jaunt through time . I was the one that 
screwed up that time . But he's still gotta answer for a hel-uh-heckuva lot ." 
    The rest of the trip was in silence , Ranma following a few strides behind 
her . Finally she leapt up to her spot . A wide branch near the top of a tall 
elm tree . The thick canopy obscured them from any casual observer , but any who 
cared to look closer would spot them in a heartbeat . Ranma joined her a moment 
after her own landing . Leaning against the wide trunk he slid to a sitting 
position , and looked at her expectantly . His eyes were a intense indigo .
" Well ?" He prompted . " How much did you read ?"
" Well ," She searched for where to begin . " I jumped about a bit before I 
stopped . From what I gathered-"
    Ranma cut her short with a hand raised in a halting gesture . " Just a 
moment ." He stood , and dropped to a lower branch . 
    She heard a startled cry of alarm , a female cry . Only now did Nabiki's ki 
appear to her senses .
" If you're going to use them like this I may have to stop giving you those 
lessons ." Ranma's voice came from below . " You might as well join us ." 
    Ranma leapt back to his previous spot and Nabiki , looking somewhat sheepish 
, followed shortly . The branch creaked at the added weight . 
" Now you were about to say ?" Ranma sighed .
    Nabiki lost her sheepish manner and slapped on the mask she used in business 
, combat , and card games . 
" From what I gathered ," She repeated . " When you were under the service of 
your Lord he asked you if you would submit to special training ." She took a 
deep breath and focused on her hands . " So you agreed of course . He took you 
to some far away place ." She reached out an took the book , opening it to the 
page with the watercolor painting . 
" Wow ." Ranma said in unison with Nabiki . 
    Stopping , she looked up at Ranma quizzically .
" I remember him painting that , but I never knew it was in this book ." He 
peered at the painting .
    Both sisters nearly fell from their perch .
" Continuing ," She stated , refocusing . " There he submitted you to some awful 
brainwashing to turn you into the perfect warrior ."
" Close , but not close enough ." Ranma shook his head . " Weapon , not warrior 
. I guess I better give you two a summary huh ?" He waited for them to give him 
slight nods . " Get comfy , this is gonna take a while to summarize even ."
    Leaning into the trunk further Ranma rested his head back on it and closed 
his violet eyes solemnly .
" It started after Ryouga and I came back from the end of this world . Man , 
that was a real trip ."