TREASURE HUNTER: Chapter 3 A RANMA 1/2 FAN-FIC BY:GREG HOUSLEY This chapter uses some tabs to help the readers understand what is happening. (parenthesis) =Ranma under hypnosis. 'single quotes' =characters thoughts. (Disclaimer)- Ranma 1/2 with all of it's characters and situations belong to Ms. Rumiko Takahashi. I take no claim over the rights to her work and have written this fic purely in fun. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ranma-chan found herself staring into the open starry filled sky as it sat nestled above the inky black of the ocean waters. A full moon cast it's eerie white glow against the placid waters that gently rolled across the damp beach sand beneath Ranma's feet. The peaceful calming sound of the ocean as it methodically swept up the beach and back caused Ranma to strain to keep her eyes open. Ranma found herself yawning in response. The scene that played out before her was one of the most beautiful things she had ever witnessed. Her eyes seemed to absorb the sight in hopes of carefully preserving the images for as long as she lived. It was nearing two in the morning and Ranma felt her mind drifting at random through the events of the past two days. She still couldn't make heads or tales of the situation and the eighteen straight hours she had been awake were having a numbing effect on her mind. They had arrived four hours earlier on this secluded island only several hours south of the Florida Keys. Sean had had them shown to their respective rooms and Ranma had immediately been impressed at the immense size of the several story mansion. Sean had instructed the two to go to bed since they had a big day ahead of them but Ranma had found she couldn't get to sleep. So after making sure everyone else had went on to bed she had carefully crept down the several flights of stairs and out onto the beach that lied a fair distance away from the north end of the mansion. Ranma was forced to yawn again as she began to notice the image before her blur. Ranma looked down at the damp soil beneath her as the waves washed up and tickled her feet. She reached down with an extended finger and begin to doodle in the sand. "Huaaaah" she yawned, 'What exactly is Nabiki up to? I mean hiding my curse restricting me from protecting us from those armed thugs..?' Ranma looked up at the moon once again hoping to see an answer to the barrage of questions floating in her groggy mind. 'Man... I bet everyone's worried about us back home. I wonder how long until Sean let's us contact home and let everyone know we're alright.' Ranma glanced back down at the sand and found she had drawn Akane's name. She quickly wiped it up in disgust. 'All except that tomboy Akane' she thought 'I'm sure she's worried about Nabiki but I bet she could care less about me, sheesh.' Ranma looked up at the stars and silently wished that they could tell her what to do. 'At least when we can finally contact them I can send them some money... The Tendo's... Mom, and dad.' Ranma-chan sighed. I can't believe Nabiki talked Sean up to ten grand a week. I mean sure, this isn't our idea at all but still ten grand, wow!'... Ranma-chan snapped her head back up; she had temporarily dozed off. She could tell by her surroundings that it had only been a brief moment. 'Man, I think I'm starting to, Huaaaahh, get tired.' She thought to herself. She dug her hand back down in the sand and began to doodle. A flash in the corner of her eye caught her attention and she quickly looked up. "A shooting star" she said aloud to herself in awe. 'A shooting star like... what my life... has become...'. The last thing Ranma could remember thinking was how her life was certain to never be the same.... <-------------+++o>> Dawn had broke several hours earlier chasing back the shadows of the night before. The sky beamed a bright blue aura gently carrying the large white clouds across the vast open expanse in an almost parade like fashion. The tide had slightly risen since the night before carrying it further up the beach and under the still sleeping body of the redheaded girl. She held herself tightly into a ball as to fight against the invading chill as the repetitive waters washed her from underneath and the sea breeze, carried up from the waters current, rushed over her damp body. Though despite its best efforts, the beach could not invade upon this one girls ever deepening slumber. **************************** KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK... "Ranma, get up, we've gotta go see Sean." Nabiki called from the other-side of the door to Ranma's chamber. The seconds trickled by and still no response came. "Ranma, I said get up, now! You've slept long enough, do you hear me!" Still no response could be heard and Nabiki found herself growing increasingly impatient. "Ranma if you don't get up right this second, I'm coming in..." Nabiki pursed her lips together and counted to three. "All right Ranma that's it!" She reached to the knob and pushed the door wide open. Inside Nabiki could barely make out the outline of the bed as she trampled over to where the blinds had been drawn shut. She reached over to the chord and pulled it so the full amount of light possible could filter into the room. "Alright Saotome get... huh?" Nabiki was forced a slight gasp as she finally laid eyes on the vacant bed. "Ranma..?" **************************** Her scent could easily be made out as the strong wind current blew it up from the beach and to the creatures nose. It sniffed the air carefully analyzing all the factors of the situation it could by her scent. After drawing its conclusion it slowly began to make it's decent to the beach below careful of being detected. As it drew closer, the scent began to grow more distinct, more profound, her aroma was actually somewhat pleasing. It was clearly evident by her smell that indeed she was just like him. He continued to cautiously pick it's path, graceful in movement his swift nimble reflexes allowed him near perfect stealth, and it was now he used this to his advantage. Finally the beach came into clear vision and he doubled his best efforts. He would not be detected. He moved with a fluid motion down into the sand of the beach and quietly crept along as though nothing more than a Rumor. The origin of the scent he had followed, the girl, began to take shape in his view and he began to realize that despite his caution the girl was simply asleep. Discarding his previous approach he lumbered over to the huddled redhead and began sniffing her over deeply. Her odor was ever more tantalizing in person. The small girl rolled over to where her face was looking up into his, and though she did not awaken he found himself purring in response. The girl seemed to smile at this. ***************************** Nabiki glanced around the room, and sure enough Ranma-chan was nowhere to be found. "where the he..." "Nabiki?" Nabiki heard a voice call from down the hall. "Nabiki? Are you.." "I'm here Sean," Nabiki answered poking her head out of Ranma's room and finding Sean several doors down the hall. "Have you seen Ranma?" "No I was hoping maybe you..." Nabiki shook her head in response. "well no matter she'll turn up. I sent Rumor after her." "Rumor?" Nabiki questioned. "Yes he's my daughter's Bengal white Tiger. "What..." Was all Nabiki could say. ****************************** Rumor found himself intoxicated by the beauty and smell of the young redhead before him. His purring grew louder as he bent down and nudged his giant muzzle against her soft face. ****************************** "Neko-what?" Sean asked as him and Nabiki raced down the several flights of steps of the mansion and headed for the back door that led down to the beach. "Look we just got to hurry!" Nabiki called after. 'Without Akane here lord knows what will happen if.... That happens' She found herself thinking to herself. ****************************** The redhead seemed to have a positive response. She rolled over till her belly faced up, and to Rumor's pleasant surprise, began to purr back. ****************************** "Her father did what?!" Sean was incredulous. "That's insane!" "Look insane or not, I'm serious if we don't get there in time..." Nabiki seemed to pause. "RANMA!!" She yelled out. ****************************** Rumor bent down and once again nudged the young girl in the face, this time he also gave her a hearty kiss. Her face seemed to brighten in response. "RANMA!!!" Rumor's ears cocked back at the intruding sound. "RANMA!!!" Rumor looked down at the young redhead and could see her eyes begin to flinch. ****************************** "RANma" Nabiki let her last call die off as she finally caught sight a gigantic white tiger bent over a small girl lying in the sand. "Oh no we're too..." "AAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!" Nabiki felt a pit open in her stomach as a familiar cry rang out through the air. Sean and Nabiki hastened their approach. "C-ccc-CA-CAT... B-b-Bb-BIIIIg C-Cat...!" Ranma after jumping reflexively to her feet began to slowly back away from the large white Tiger. The Tiger stared on curiously. "Mwrow!" Ranma-chan let a meow slip and slapped both hands over her mouth. 'Awww man I can't afford lose it here, not now. Who knows what I'll do... Where the HELL did that big C- ca-cat-at come f-from anyway?!!' Ranma-chan's mind was spinning. The Tiger began to move closer as Ranma backed away. He began to make a noise that Ranma couldn't distinguish between a growl or a purr. 'No I- I can't control it!' "Mrow!" The beast began to speed its approach and Ranma tripped on a mound of sand directly behind her. The tiger approached and looked her in her eyes as she lay still against the earth. "Mrow..! Mwrow!" 'Oh no here it g...' ****************************** "Rumor!" Sean called as he sped down from off the rocks and onto the beach. "Rumor go home..!" Sean commanded "Leave!" "MWROOOOOOWWWW!" The all to familiar cat-call pierced the morning air like a knife. 'Were too late...' Nabiki thought in defeat. 'Too late..." Ranma-chan dropped to all fours and began pacing cautiously around the two nervous humans. "Sean..." Nabiki spoke his name softly without looking at him. "Don't move." She warned. "When she's in this state she's not only unpredictable but also more powerful than even that Tiger of yours, actually from what I've seen in the past that tiger is nothing more than a kitten in comparison when she's in this state. "Well Ms. Tendo what do you suppose we do? Stand here till we fall unconscious?" "I don't know Sean I'm working on it." "Well could you work a little faster. How did you cure this back in Japan?" "I didn't. It was my little sister Akane. And it had something to do with their relationship, I doubt it would work with me." "Well we had better think of something!" Sean insisted. "No kidding..." Nabiki answered back irritably. Off to their left from over the rocks Rumor came into view again. "I thought I told that animal to get back to the house!" Sean cursed. Despite Sean's obvious displeasure Rumor leapt down onto the beach and slowly began to approach the agitated Neko-Ranma. "What is that forsaken cat doing?" Sean asked in irritation. Neko-Ranma quickly caught sight of the approaching white Tiger and began a deep guttural growl in which Rumor simply responded by happily purring. Neko-Ranma ceased her growl in confusion. The tiger slowly continued its approach careful not to make any sudden moves. He began slowly closing his eyes and opening them again in a friendly cat manner, which only seemed to excite the neko-female even more. "What is he doing?" Nabiki questioned Sean as they watched the events play out before them. Sean simply shook his head. Rumor finally managed to approach Neko-Ranma and began to gently nudge her across the cheek. She reciprocated this action and they both began to mingle their scents. "I don't believe it." Nabiki heard Sean utter. "What is going on?" Rumor lay down on the ground, sloshing his tail contently in the white sand beneath. Neko-Ranma lay down next to him and lowered her head to rest on his side. Nabiki and Sean both watched as the small girl began to slowly close her eyes and begin to drift. "Are... Are we free to go?" Sean asked, keeping a close eye on the now already asleep Ranma-chan. "Not yet..." Nabiki responded. "Help me carry her back up to the mansion or else this will simply happen again." "I see." Sean responded simply. Cautiously, so the young girl would not be disturbed, Sean approached her and gently lifted her up into his arms. Nabiki was forced to smile in-spite of herself. Things were sure to only get more complicated, and STRANGER, from this point on. <-------------+++o>> "The Neko-ken hmmmm?" Sean questioned just to make sure he had heard right "Yeah, that's right." Nabiki confirmed. "H... Uh she has an immense fear of cats. I think Mr. Saotome called it Aluraphobia. Once her fear of cats is taken too far she drops into a cat-like state acting completely on instinct and emotion rather than logic. She is nearly invincible in this state. In fact she even managed to defeat an old amazon by the name of Cologne with it, once." Nabiki thought she might have seen something flash through Sean's eyes, but she wasn't sure... 'Recognition?' She wondered. "The only problem is she can sometime mistake ally for foe in this state, correct?" Sean asked assessing the situation. "That's right. She's very unpredictable while using the neko-ken." "Hmmmmmm. So the legend is true..." "What?" Nabiki asked confused. "Yes I've heard of the Neko-ken. Not by name, mind you, though I have heard of a unimaginably powerful martial arts technique that eliminates the martial artist sense of awareness and replaces it with a cat's instincts. As I had understood it, such a technique had been banned, due to it's extreme danger." "Yes, though stuff like that never really matter to Ranma's father." Nabiki stated. "I see." Sean simply said. 'Dammit I hate volunteering information like this, but our situation is so fragile. This guy is the only one that can help us right now.' Nabiki of course wasn't exactly happy that she needed to give out this information but that still didn't change the fact that she had to. 'Well it seems clear to me that a decision must be made as to what should be done about the Neko-ken." Sean announced. "Huh?" Nabiki asked confused. "Hmmmm, it's been what, three, four hours since Ranma fell asleep? What time is it? Hmmmm?" Nabiki questioned. Unconcerned, Sean pulled back his sleeve to reveal a very eloquent gold watch. "Two forty three... Hmmm... How long does it take for Ranma to recover from the Neko-ken. "I'm not sure, why?" Nabiki's curiosity began to grow. "Well it seems to me that we must decide weather the risk involved with Ranma's Neko- ken out-weigh it's usefulness. "Hmmm? Are you considering getting rid of Ranma?" "On one hand you have a technique that when employed has the devastative power to destroy most of its given targets... On the other you have a technique that would just as soon harm it's allies as it's enemy's." "I think the decision is clear, though I shall leave it up to Ranma." Sean declared while standing up. "You think you may have a way to cure the Neko-ken don't you..." Sean and Nabiki were both caught off-guard at the new voice. "That's what you're getting at, right?" Nabiki looked over to the large double doors that led into the study and found a very solemn looking Ranma- chan standing at its base. Sean seemed unfazed at the directness of Ranma's question. "Yes as a matter of fact it is." Sean answered confidently. He peered over into the small girl's eyes and found a striking determination there. "I agree." Ranma-chan answered simply." "You haven't even heard how I propose to do it." Sean pointed out exasperated. "I don't need to. Whatever is fine." The truth was Ranma was scared. Nothing scared her more than losing control. The Neko-ken was this and much more. Each time it stole a little more from Ranma and each time afterwards she felt as though less remained. She was frightened to think that such a simple thing could steal her control over herself. And anything that even hinted at a cure was something she must try. The only reason she had used it in the mountains against cologne was in a last desperate attempt to regain her manhood, and nothing less would convince her to use it as an alternative. "Well then..." Sean began, not quite sure how to proceed. "I guess nows as good a time as any." Sean finally finished. "Let see.... Have a seat right here, Ms. Saotome." Sean escorted Ranma to a nearby red leather chair and proceeded to walk over to the many bookshelves lining the walls. He began running his finger about several of the book spines until finally stopping on one particular and pulling it free. He looked over at where Ranma sat and then began thumbing through the pages until he stopped at what appeared to be what he was looking for. "Ah here we go!" He announced. After scanning through the text he gently closed the book and laid it down on a table next to him. "Now Ms. Tendo, I'll need complete silence from you..." He walked over to where Ranma sat and kneeled down in front of her. Ranma took notice of how Sean's face seemed to take a very stoic expression. Sean reached into his side pocket drawing a small polished zippo and flipped it open. Ranma watched as Sean struck the lighter and held it directly in front of her eyes. "Now Ms. Saotome I want you to follow this flame with your eyes only and listen and do everything as I say, understand.?" Ranma simply nodded in agreement. Sean slowly began pacing the lighter left, then right.... Up then down... left then right... Up then down... Sean repeated this action several more times until he could see that Ranma's attention had total focus on the flame before her. "Listen to my voice..." He spoke in a calm yet commanding voice. "Listen to my voice... Hear ONLY my voice." Ranma's eyes continued to obediently follow the cross-shaping flame and felt her concentration lock. "Hear only my voice, do you understand?" Again, Ranma simply nodded. "I want you to tell me your name... Slowly..." "Ranma... Saotome..." Ranma answered back. "Hear only my voice..." Sean, still crossing the lighter, found Ranma-chan remarkably focused. "I will now count down from ten to one. By the time I reach one you will be completely asleep. You will be completely under my control, do you understand?" Ranma once again nodded her acknowledgement. "Ten..." Ranma still focused her attention to the flame. "Nine..." Nabiki watched in open anticipation as she caught sight of Ranma's eyes begin to flutter. "Eight..." Ranma began to feel an overwhelming drowsiness settle in. "Seven..." Sean looked down into Ranma's eyes. Seeing that Ranma was indeed growing drowsy he began to have a little more hope on the matter. "Six... Five... Four..." Ranma's eyes finally, with one last flutter, closed. "Three... Two... One... You are now completely under my control." Sean looked over to Nabiki. "With her under hypnosis we should be able to isolate the problem and maybe even find a way to cure it." Nabiki looked over in awe. She was going to have to learn how to do that. "Now we just need to make sure everything is in order before we continue. Ranma? When I snap my fingers once you will think you are a chicken and begin to cluck, when I snap them twice you will believe yourself a chicken no more." SNAP! Ranma immediately pulled her arms under her armpits and began flapping them as though she was a chicken. Nabiki was forced to repress a chuckle when Ranma began to seriously cluck like a chicken... "I'd say that was proof wouldn't you Ms. Tendo?" Sean asked. "Sure." Nabiki agreed. "Just change her back before I decide I'm in the mood for some fried chicken." Sean eyed her curiously but did as asked. SNAP! Ranma immediately stopped. "There." Sean replied satisfied. "Now for the hard part." Sean Admonished. "Ranma tell me a little about yourself." Nabiki's heart caught at this request. (I Ranma Saotome, am a martial artist for the anything goes school of martial arts. I was born to a one Genma Saotome and a one Nadoka Saotome, on September twelfth. I am seventeen years old and heir to my fathers' practice.) "This will get us nowhere Sean!" Nabiki finally interrupted not willing to risk Ranma blowing their secret. (I live with the Tendo's, Soun, Kasumi, Nabiki and my fianc...) "Alright Ranma you may stop." Sean commanded. Nabiki felt herself sigh in relief. "Ranma, What do you fear of cats?" (They will get me...) Ranma responded simply. "How will they get you Ranma?" (They will get me using their claws, using their teeth, using their minds...) Ranma dropped off at this. "How will they get you, using their minds?" Sean asked, curiously. (They will steal my consciousness... They will steal my soul...) "And how is it they do this?" (They took it once from me, when I was small... They fed off me, tore me, until my will submitted. It was then that they breached my soul and took my body. Now... that their hold on me has been established... They can use me as they wish... When they wish...) "Hmmmmmm." Sean openly pondered. "Interesting... Ranma? Where are you now?" Sean asked out of simple curiosity. (I'm not sure.) "Describe your surroundings." (I'm standing... In a field. No, a valley! It's misty here. Ponds, or springs... Yes springs dot the landscape for as long as the eye can see. Wait no! They're everywhere! These springs, everywhere I turn from horizon to horizon. They each have a pole sticking straight up from the water.) "This is pointless Sean!" Nabiki interrupted. "No, I'm interested." Sean insisted. "Sean your supposed to cure her Aluraphobia not explore her subconscious. You didn't ask Ranma if you could explore her subconscious." "She said she'd do anything." "To cure her Aluraphobia yes, but not to simply allow you to prance around in her private thoughts." "Ms. Tendo if I didn't know any better I'd say your hiding something!" Sean declared. "That's ridiculous!" Nabiki exclaimed. "Is it? Then why..." Nabiki didn't let him complete the question. "Look I just wouldn't want anyone prying around in my subconscious without my consent, that's all." Sean eyed her skeptically. Nabiki didn't seem the type to hold compassion for anyone. He caught the determination mirrored in her eyes and shrugged. 'No sense making enemies out of those I would have work for me, this early in the game.' He winked at her and turned to Ranma. "Ranma, you are not in a valley of springs, but rather your standing just outside the Tendo dojo." Nabiki kept a cautious eye on Sean as he continued. "Your standing there waiting for your father to spar with you when a cute cuddly kitten walks up next to you and brushes against your leg. Instantly, Ranma began to shake in her spot. Sweat was evident as it began to freely slide down her cheek. "Ranma how do you feel?" (S-s-s-scared-ed.) She uttered back "Now, Ranma I want you to concentrate on my voice. Do you understand? I am your salvation, the kitten can not posses you as long you can hear my voice. Understand?" (Y-yes.) "Good... You're growing calm. Calm. Calm. The kitten is cute and will not harm you. Do you understand?" Ranma continued to violently shake. "Ranma do you understand?" "RANMA!" (Make it stop make it stop!!!) Sean could see her shaking begin to grow worse and decided to halt it. "RANMA THE KITTEN IS GONE!" He yelled. Ranma's shaking immediately began to stop and she seemed to relax. Sean turned to Nabiki and arched an eyebrow. This, Aluraphobia... It's the strongest case of phobia I've seen. My commands barely reached her in the presence of a kitten. Hmmmmm. I'll just have to try something else. Ranma when I snap my fingers once you will be a cat with human thoughts, when I snap my fingers twice, you will be one no more. Do you understand me?" Ranma nodded. SNAP! "MWRROW!" Ranma-chan meowed as her usual Neko self. "Ranma, what are you thinking?" "MROOOOWWW!" Ranma continued to meow. "RANMA WHAT IS IT YOUR THINKING?!" Sean attempted to shout. "MMMMROOWWWWW!" Ranma replied back. Sean sighed. SNAP! Ranma stooped meowing. "Tell me your name." Sean commanded (My name is Ranma Saotome.) "Good..." Sean looked to Nabiki once more, who seemed to be immersed in her own thoughts, no longer observing the scene before her. "I think I'll just have to deal with the closer issue at hand and forego any attempts at curing her Aluraphobia..." Sean commented. Nabiki didn't respond. "Nabiki?" "Huh? Oh right, go right ahead." Nabiki replied obviously unsure what she was agreeing to. "Ranma do you know a large white animal with white stripes that lives here?" Sean asked. (Y-y-yes.) Ranma answered. "Do you know what he is?" (A T-tiggerrr.) "No he is not a tiger... Do you know what he is?" (A T-tiger.) "No he is not a tiger... Do you know what he is?" (A tiger?) "No he is not a tiger... Do you know what he is?" (N-no.) Nabiki turned her attention to the display before her, casting her previous thoughts aside to be dealt with later. She found this new approach to Ranma's Aluraphobia, intriguing. "Ranma what is the large white animal with black stripes?" (I... I don't know.) "Is he a tiger?" (No.) "Then what is he?" Sean drove further seeing at small bit of success on the horizon. (A horse?) "No not a horse. What is he?" (A, a cow?) "No not a cow. What is he?" (A dog?) "Yes, Ranma he is a dog. He is your friend." (A dog? My friend?) "Yes Ranma the large white animal with black stripes is a dog, and he is your friend. Do you understand?" Ranma nodded. "Then repeat this back to me." (Yes Ranma the large white animal with black stripes is a dog, and he is your friend. Do you understand?) Ranma repeated perfectly word for word, even throwing an English accent in there with it. "Great, even under complete hypnosis she's sarcastic." Sean commented. "Ranma, what is the large white animal with black stripes?" (A dog. My friend.) Ranma answered back. "Do you know your friends name?" Sean asked. (No.) "His name is Rumor." Sean explained. (My friend is Rumor, a dog. He is a large white animal with black stripes.) "Exactly!" Sean confirmed triumphantly. "Ranma, I am about to count from one to ten. By the time I reach ten, you will be completely awake. You will consciously remember nothing. Do you understand me?" Ranma shook her head yes. "one...two...three...four...five..." Ranma's eyes began to slowly flutter, faster then faster, until they began to seem like they must open. "six...seven...eight..." Ranma's eyes slipped open and the image of the room about her began to take shape. "Nine...ten..." Sean completed. "Ranma how do you feel?" "Fine. Rested. Weren't you about to do something to cure my Aluraphobia?" "I already have. My efforts failed." "How is that possible?" Ranma asked confused. "Ranma he did." Nabiki confirmed. "You just don't remember because of what Sean did." "He did?" "Yes." Nabiki stated flatly. Ranma knew that tone. There wasn't any arguing with it. "Fine." Ranma-chan replied defeatedly. "I'm gonna get some sleep." Ranma walked to the double doors and pulled the left one open. Rumor curiously poked his head in through the door and looked up at Ranma. Ranma looked down at the large tiger and patted him on the head. "Come on boy, let's get some sleep." Ranma-chan then proceeded to groggily march out the room and up the stairs with Rumor close in tow. End Chapter 3