by Josh Temple (or whoever I am this week) tarne_of_
don't blame me the voices did it, the voices

you know the drill I don't own any of this

If you are offended at my poor writing skills, lack of originality, absence of plot, or anything else I do, stop
reading now, don't flame me later.

If any characters are OOC just blame my poor writing skills same goes of and screw up in the timeline
(relative to the cannon)

C & C welcome and desperately needed

Here's the deal this is a self insertion fic if you hate these then don't read the fic, but first an inane author rant. Fanfiction has ability that few other forms of media have, because hundreds of people write their own perspective on a popular story, anime, whatever. Fanfiction creates a huge amount of adventures, alternate history, crossovers, and other stories. This makes it so the characters are exposed to every situation imaginable, creating a complete universe. The shear amount of data alone creates a perception of a true reality. . .

. . . or at least that's what I think. I could be, and am most likely, wrong. This leads me to the subject of myself revenge-fics and more importantly self insertion fics are unique in that the author is a the main character and acknowledges, at least partially, that he/or she is inside a fanfic. This started me to question the reality of the author. When the reader sees the writer as a character granted its still fiction, but it raises questions. Consider this most of the people on the FFML don't know anything about me, even my previous writing projects are relatively unknown failures. The point is, if there is one, that what we know about others is mostly taken of faith. I might not even be Josh Temple, I could just be using that name as a synonym for some odd reason, or I'm just bringing this up to make a point.

I forgot what the point was so I'll just move on.
Don't worry it will GET better (I hope)

Prolog
The scene opens to a rather messy dorm room. The bed is unmade the shelves are crammed with random objects. Clothes litter the floor. The small room's single window had is shade pulled down. The only light in the room came from a computer monitor. A young man was siting at the computer. He was average in build and height. He appeared to be of Asian decent at lest partially. He has a small, rat like, pony tail. His feature were mostly obscured by the darkness. On the screen was a text document. He then turned around.

JOSH: Okay lets get this started. Yes I know it looks like I'm talking to myself, but I'm really narrating. That's enough "normal life" establishment. Okay readers, if there are any, I bet your wondering how I'm going to get to the Ranmaverse. Its simple I'm going to write it.

He turned back to the computer and continued typing

JOSH [while typing]: Yes is does sound painfully obvious yet all fics are written. I'll write myself into a fic. I think I'll try an alternate history. Here comes the scene change.

*******************************

Jusenkyou, China: Josh is at one end of the valley. He appears a few years younger than in the previous scene. He is dressed in hiking boots, dark green cortex pants, a tee shirt of the came color, and a dark blue windbreaker. A tan external-frame pack is at his side. 'He pans the valley below him, focusing on the springs and the bamboo poles. With great interest and zeal, he focused on three figures emerging from the morning mist on the other side of the valley. With a slight smile, the binocs are put away in the backpack which is then hoisted onto his back. A slight look of determination crosses the face of the young man as he desends the cliffs into the forbidding valley below.

JOSH[in narrator voice]: Here is the deal, I'm half here half at the computer, because I'm writing this I'm in control in everything that happens. You know standard SI god stuff. Like how I'll be able to understand them, and the age regression.

At the other end of the valley . . .

RANMA: Hey Pop! Someone's comin' towards us.

GENMA[turns and looks at the approaching Josh]: He doesn't appear to be a threat.

GUIDE: He is probably another vic... err... traveler in search of the
legendary training grounds. Sirs, best for you if you stay here.

GENMA: Come on boy, lets start.

The battle begins, both martial artists doing aerial combat on the bamboo poles The guide reached Josh just at the edge of the pools.

GUIDE: Very bad sir if you fall in. You should leave this place.

JOSH: Where am I? Why didn't I plan this. It doesn't matter that I winging it might as well pull a Hibiki

GUIUE: Cursed Springs of Jusenkyou

JOSH: Could you be a little broader.

GUIDE: China could he be drawn here through the caves

JOSH: Which way to the nearest town?

GUIDE[pointing at the other end of the valley]: A few kilometers that way.

Josh starts walking towards the springs.

GUIDE: It safer to take the cliff, sir.

JOSH: Those cliffs don't look that safe. I'm already down here, and I think I can avoid some water.

Josh took of his pack carrying if from the top bar. Don't want to fall in because I'm top-heavy. He walked past the Guide between the first set of springs.

GUIDE: Why don't they ever listen.

Josh weaved around the pools careful not to get wet, as the two Saotomes fought overhead. Genma was knocked into a pool and a panda emerged, enraged

JOSH:Okay start timing now. Ranma will soon fall into a pool a couple over. I'll stay off to the other side. Then when they ask who I am I'll give them the cover story.

Unfortunately Josh miscalculated where the spring-of-drowned-girl was unfortunately it was right next t him. Hey, why the hell did I write that ok I can still change it Ranma surprised by the panda that replaced his father, was knocked off his pole and into the pool that Josh was standing next too. Oh god why won't this work. Josh's though was cu short as Ranma collided with the water. The splash hit Josh knocking him into the pool behind him.

Chapter 1

I broke the surface of the water and crawler to the side. I noticed three things right away first I had no connection to the myself at the computer, second I was a girl, and third I was hearing voices. I looked at the Guide who was standing over me. Poor boy two curses I then looked over at
Ranma-chan who was despite shock on the outside was screaming on the inside, and Genma-panda was ranting about Nodoka. "What do you mean two curses?"
"You fell into spring-of-drowned-telepath, and got splashed with spring-of-drowned-girl," the guide explained.
"I can read minds?" I asked trying to clear things up
"Yes but only in this form, and its just telepathy no other mental abilities."
"Hot water reverse, cold triggers," I said reading the thoughts of the guide's mine
"Is there a cure," Ranma demanded, latching onto the guide with desperation.
"Yeah like a spring-of-drowned-boy?" I asked, a half-a-thought before the guide replied, mentally.
"No multiple pools make curses mix." The thought of what could happen caused Ranma to shudder.
The panda held up a sign "Is there any cure?" Nodoka is sure to kill us.
"Not here but first sirs come to hut to change and dry off."
I picked up my pack from where I had dropped it, and followed the others to the hut. At least the telepath curse will explain my knowledge of them.
Inside the small hut the guide started to boil some water. I pulled a towel out of my pack and started to dry my face. I then pulled out my toiletries kit it had a small mirror inside used for shaving. I got my first look at my girl side. I had a knowledge of how the curses worked but seeing it myself was a true shock, but the trauma of having this happen to myself was beyond words. My face looked like a blending of my sisters, Ranma-chan's yet I could still se traces of myself in it. My eyes, used to be a dull green now they were metallic and seemed to faintly glow, a side effect of being telepathic? My hair was dark brown yet now it was blond with what seemed like green highlights. Great standard buxom teenage girl. I handed the mirror to Ranma-chan. "Here inspect the damage." Ranma looked into the mirror shuddered and handed it back.
I was getting more used to the voices but, it was like being in a room with half a dozen people constantly talking. I couldn't block it all but I could lessen it. I cringed at the though of being in a crowd of more than a hundred people. I could tell that Ranma was almost agitated at my presence.
"Yes Ranma, I can read your mind. Your a martial artist on a ten year training mission with your father Genma. Who plans to take you back to Japan. My name is Josh Temple" that was as far as my telepathic powers could go, but my knowledge of the anime and fanfics could have told much, much more. I also decided that for the most part I should let others talk even if I know what their going to say it seems to disturb them less.
"Are you on some sort of training journey?"
I had a choice to make I could tell them the truth fanfic author screws up SI ends up in own story or use the original cover story, good thing he can't read my mind, "My mother was Hawaiian but my father was from American. I live in upstate New York. Here's where it gets weirder. I was hiking with some friends in Colorado. There was this cave that we found the second week. I went in on a dare and when I came out I was here. That was three days ago you're the first people I've seen, and no I'm not a martial artist just a reasonably regular guy."
"How come you speak Japanese."
"My school had a very comprehensive foreign language program." Hope they buy that
"I believe I can explain how you got here," The guide said, "The magic of the springs is powerful and chaotic, often it tries to trick people into coming here."
"So the cave I went into was some sort of portal that sends people to the springs."
"It was no accident that you wandered this way."
"And now everyone things I'm dead."
"How did you get that?" Ranma asked.
"He picked up from my mind that once a portal takes a person it changes location."
"Huh?"
"He means that the cave collapses, my friends and family think I'm dead."
"You should try to contact them," Ranma said.
"Once I get back to a place I can make a phone call. What will I say 'Hi guess what I'm not dead I just magically went to china, oh yeah I also turn into a girl who happens to be a telepath. I know I probably can't convince my friends back home but I have to try.," Reading Ranma's mind, "Yeah we're kinda in the same boat."
That was when I decided to try and see what other things I could do. I concentrated a little, and tried to send a thought TO Ranma I felt energy build up and the message go out. You won't mind if I tag along. The thought crashed into Ranma-chan's mind. It was the voice of the strange girl, no boy, that came into his mind. Ranma felt a little mad at another intrusion to his privacy, but relaxed realizing that Josh was like this because he was like this because of him.
"That's okay Ranma I don't blame you. The valley brought me here from across the world."
"You know your eyes were glowing when you did that."
"Must be a part of the curse."
The water had boiled and Genma had used it on himself. "Ranma I will not let you bring a girl with you the distract you from your art."
Knowing that Genma could be a problem, acting on instinct I focused on him and with the equivalent of a mental yell, with eyes glowing with green fire, I AM NOT A GIRL YOU TWIT, I HAVE THE SAME CURSE AS YOUR SON, AND I KNOW ALL YOUR SECRETS AND IF YOU DON'T LET ME COME THEY WILL BE TOLD. LIKE THE MASTER, OR THE MAN AMONG MEN AGREEMENT, OR UKYOU OR ALL THE OTHER THING YOU'VE DONE YOU BLOATED BASTARD. Genma was caught between rage and fear this youth while lacking any fighting skills had unraveled all his secrets, and angered at her impudence. Genma is many things his is also spineless and fairly uninformed he failed to realize that telekinetics are the ones that can alter the environment i.e. moving objects, where telepaths can only work with the mind, fortunately
Mind what mind, I thought
"What did you say to him?" Ranma asked.
"He thought I was a girl."
Ranma looked at Genma who now appeared afraid of the young telepath, "I understand, hey pop give me the water." Ranma used the hot water restoring his manhood. He then handed it to me. I poured it on myself the tingling of the change was accompanied with the fading of the voices. I was now male and in my own mind.
"Could a cure lie elsewhere?" Genma asked.
"The village of the amazons may have some magical artifacts that may be of help," the guide said.
"Is that the same village you gave me directions to?"
"Yes."

*******************************

A fat Chinese man, two teen age girls, and a panda approached Joketsuzoku. "It just had to rain on the hike over," Ranma grumbled.
"I think the curse make people water magnets," turning to the guide I asked, "Is that true?"
"Jusenkyou curses do attract chaotic forces."
"Is this the place?" Ranma asked pointing at the village.
As the travelers entered the village it became apparent that some sort of function was going on in the center of town. I became nervous having full knowledge of what could happen. I t seemed that the entire village was assembled around a suspended log. An amazon was at each end preparing for the tournament. Ranma was intently watching the battle about to take place, the panda had wandered off, and I was trying to cope with the voices. Unfortunately I failed to realize exactly how many people were at the tournament it seemed to be around two hundred, yet it felt like there were over a thousand voices. Normally in a crowd the voices will blend, yet each mind I was reading stayed clear and individual. I was overloading my brain, yet I knew that if I couldn't handle a small village like this I would never be able to handle a city or even a small town. Another thing was that despite the fact that I didn't know Mandarin I could understand what they were thinking. I tried to concentrate on the fight specifically the thoughts of Shampoo. As I increased the information feelings and thoughts coming from this one person the information from the hundreds of others was reduced. It seemed that in this form I would always feel something from others. As I watched an felt Shampoo win I could still fell the others granted it was only the general emotions of the crowd.
Cologne felt a tremor, she did not have a natural talent but through many years of training she gained the capability of sensing those who did. She could tell that there was a young untrained person in the crowd either a telepath of a telekinetic, either way it was originating from The Group of foreign travelers. She saw a small redheaded girl possibly a martial artist, another girl this one blonde, and the guide. Hmm could Jusenkyou be involved.
It was at this time that I turned my attention to Cologne. It seemed that she was on to me yet as long as I don't try any transmitting I should be fine. Of coarse when Ranma gets challenged I could be pulled in to.
Shampoo had just won and was demanding where the prize was and who owned the panda. Knowing what was most likely going to happen and being a noncombatant I decided to place some distance between myself and Ranma. I wasn't even able to get more than fifteen feet away when Shampoo challenged Ranma. I stopped while the guide translated for Ranma. I couldn't run now that would place blame on me also.
Interesting, Cologne thought, The girl knows that her friend is about to get attacked for failure to control that panda. A granted it shows a lack of marital arts training but it could show precognition.
The redhead was apparently a skilled martial artist. She seemed to be holding her own against Shampoo. After a few minutes of fighting the redhead exploited a gap in Shampoo's defense. She landed a solid kick to Shampoo's midsection and ended the fight. It was a shame if the stupid panda hadn't gotten lose she might have been a useful addition to the tribe, but now it was too late.
"Um Ranma I think we should leave now," I said.
"This not good," the Guide said knowing full well what's about to happen.
Shampoo looked at Cologne. She responded with a slight nod. Shampoo walked up to Ranma a with an evil glint in her eye. She gave kissed Ranma-chan on the cheek, and said something in Mandarin.
It was the Guide's unfortunate responsibility to translate, "She gives you the kiss of death."
There was only one thing I could do, it would blow my cover with Cologne but it might help. I focused on Cologne Things are not as the seem, discretion should be taken. The guide was getting frantic. He had already gotten Ranma, and the panda, a ready to leave, I gave one last look at Shampoo and Cologne, as we ran from the village their thoughts diminished as well.
Having here mind intruded shocked Cologne, but that proved it, the blonde was a telepath, at least. It was weak but it was still there. It then clicked for her she should have seen it earlier the guide, the panda, the two girls, the telepath, the martial artist, and the message. All these oddities pointed to Jusenkyou. Did that mean that the redhead might really be male. That would change everything. She could tell Shampoo to follow them and see if it was just a curse, but that raised other problems, as stealthy as great-granddaughter was she could not shield herself from detection from the blonde. The little telepath had caused and interesting challenge.

*******************************

We had hiked away from the village and evening was fast approaching. As we were setting up camp the guide told us that it was time to leave. He was noticeably shook up over the kiss of death. After a fire was set up, and some warm water was prepared. The guide started auguring with Genma about payment for his services. Poor guy probably won't get anything. I turned back to my pack. It was tied, by the top bar, to the trunk of a tree. This made it so that when covered it would stay dry if it rained, and it was easily accessible at that height. I pulled the tent off the bottom straps. Doing a semi-normal activity helped me clear my mind. On the one hand I was screwed a simple writing activity turned into a HUGE mess. I was stuck here with no way to contact the real world, and I was cursed. On the other hand I should have known this was going to happen. That's what all the revenge-fics and insertions dealt with, but I was too arrogant though I could control this world. At least the curse gives me some abilities, although it only is telepathy.
After putting the ground cloth down and spreading out the tent, I took the two poles and slid them in the sleeves at either end. The ends were placed in hooks a the stake rings in each corner. This formed a larger arc at the front and a smaller arc at the back. Then I puled the cables at the top of each arc out an staked them to the ground. This held up the tent, after staking the rest of the tent and securing the rain fly. I was a small tent I could barely hold a single sleeping bag, but it was extremely light and very good in acclimate weather. After setting up the tent I went back to the pack. I turned to see the others, Genma was still arguing with the Guide, and Ranma was staring at the fire in shock. I pulled my seeping back off the bottom loops, took out my foam matters pad.
I'm searching the pack seeing exactly what kinds of equipment were in it. there was the standard stuff, pack stove, bottles of white gas, fist aid kit, flashlight, batteries, matches, Swiss army knife, freeze-dried food, toiletries, water bottles, water filter, and changes of clothing. I was looking in the main compartment when I saw, a small pocket or something in the front side of it. Inside was some type of a gun and three magazines or clips. The gun looked more like an energy weapon than anything else, and the clips looked more liked some type of battery. It was a PW12 stun blaster. I don't know how I knew that name but its connected to my cover story. I carefully put the weapon back into its pouch. I knew that the martial artists weren't to keen on guns even if it probably wasn't lethal, and I wanted to earn their trust.
I was also remembering other things about my so called cover story. The blaster had acted kind of like a catalyst starting a stream of information. It was clear that the story I told was in fact real. This made some sense until I fell into the pool I was in control of the story so anything before the pool actually did happen. It was odd to say the least to have memories that were happened to me yet I didn't originally remember appear. Unlike when I do a deeper scan in girl form where I got a flood of images and information. This was like it was already there. I mean that it I though about what happened last year at Christmas I got two memories one of my real life another of the cover story.
My memories diverge at one point the night before a gifted and talented test, three years ago (cover story), and seven years ago normal time. I always seemed to be reasonably intelligent and this test was given to fourteen year olds to tell who were gifted and who were normal. In the normal timeline I stayed up really late the night before the test playing some video game so during the test I was very groggy and only got above average, but in this timeline I played a different game that I was closer to beating so I got a normal amount of sleep and when I took the test I did extremely well allowing me to go into an advanced educational track. This explained what my life changed into the hike, learning Japanese, the gun, and all sorts of other weird thing in this life, but that one change didn't explain how Ranma and co ended up being real or how the realities merged. Probably some sort of glitch caused by mixing bad fanfiction, reality bending, and chaotic magic.
I took out some jerky and a bottle of water and went over to the fire where a dazed Ranma and a smug Genma were sitting. Guess he got out of paying. I sat at the other end of the log from Genma with Ranma in the middle. Genma was 'trying' to cheer Ranma up by telling him that he wasn't being a man about this and should be glad that at least he's still human.
Poor Ranma his life is gonna get so screwed up, then again I'll probably get sucked into this mess too.

*******************************

A coastal city in China near the shipyards. Ranma and Genma are at a nearby café trying to get out of paying. Fortunately for myself American is accepted in most other countries usually with little contention. I'm now at a payphone trying to use my calling card. Unfortunately it wasn't working, it kept saying that the account was out of service. It seems that my friends and family really do believe that I'm dead.
I was trying to contact a voice mail system that my friend James had set up. The system was set up so our group could access information remotely. The phone card was paid though a series of ghost accounts that James had set up. Without the card I had to use a collect service. I dialed up the number and when the operator asked if the call would be accepted, I punched in a twelve digit code that aborted the payment loop. The glitch in this particular phone companies service was found out by James to this day I don't know how he figures out these things. We were told not to use it when it can avoided because frequent use might force the company to fix the glitch.
The phone rang twice and an automated voice kicked in saying that the number was out of service. Before it could hang up I entered a ten digit entry code; then it went silent. Speaking in English I said "five omega sigma four space slash theta epsilon six seven lambda enter back slash." This got me past the basic identification procedure. After pressing star three pound I then had to use a cipher to proceed to the next level of clearance the cipher changed each time a person accessed the system, and was based on an intricate hyperbolic equation that was individual to each user. Mine was based on the positioning of vectors on a differential equation. The calculations got much easier with practice and group members just solved like six ciphers ahead of time and then memorized them so clearance would take less time. After the cipher was entered I got access into the system.
I then went into the messaging service. This service would first ring at the selected person's secure line, then if no one answered shift to their secure pager, after sending the page it went to their voice mail account. James number had rung twice when a loud squeal erupted from the phone. Followed by a click. "Damn it!" I cursed. Josh must have been monitoring the system at the time. Not even Josh who built the system know another person's access codes, so when someone successfully logged on using the codes of a recently deceased member he cut the line thinking that it was a hacker or some other person tying to attack The Group.
I wanted to try and talk to James but this could also work. The Group will trace the call and find that it came from China and they will have two possible explanations. One that someone recorded my voice code, stole my chipper, and got all the other passwords required to get into the system. This meant that someone help a crippling amount of information on The Group, and The Group would think that the Chines origination of the call was a ruse to hide the true location of the call. The Group will reprogram its systems from the ground changing all of the passwords just to be safe.
The other explanation is that I somehow survived being buried alive in a cave-in and ended up across the world without The Group's knowledge. A few more calls when we reach Nerima should pull The Group to this second option, although I don't know exactly how they would handle this situation.
I hung up the phone, and walked back to the café. Genma and Ranma were just leaving. "Well I guess this is where we split up." Genma said wanting to off load the extra traveler.
"Nah I think I'll come to Nerima with you," I replied.
"But you contacted you family didn't you?"
"Yes along with some interesting facts."
"I see I guess you're coming with us," Genma hated the telepath blackmailing him but he was so close to uniting the schools and he couldn't let him screw this up. The telepath could be dealt with once they get back to Japan.
Ranma knew what was going on he had gotten to know the strange Hawaiian during the travel from the cursed springs, he seemed to be well versed in the art of diplomacy, and the telepathic abilities of the Josh's girl half only expanded his abilities as a mediator. Although from what Josh has said knowing what people are really thinking and what's about to happen totally changes a how a person views the world.

*******************************

Ranma-chan and Genma-panda are fighting in a raining Tokyo street, while I just stand of to the side slightly bored. Ranma asked me what Genma was planing to do once they got to the Tendou's, I told him about to the engagement. Genma went into a triode about satisfying family honor that was cut short by the rain.
I sighed the rain had just stopped after only a few minutes little rain storms like this had become extremely common. I was thankful for my windbreaker and cortex pants that at least dried off quickly.
"I don't care, I'm going back to China to find a cure," Ranma stated as he turned around. The panda then used this opportunity to brain Ranma with a road sign. He then picked up the unconscious girl, his pack and started walking. I then grabbed Ranma's pack and followed the panda.

Soun had just gotten trough explaining the engagement to his daughters. They were upset that he didn't know anything about this Ranma. He didn't know why they were worried about what Ranma was like, Genma took him on a ten year training trip he was sure to be a powerful martial artist. The houses were positive to be joined.
Suddenly the front door was broken down by a giant panda carrying a redhead followed by a greenish, blonde haired girl. Ranma conveniently chose this time to regain conciseness. "I'm Ranma Saotome, sorry about this."
"Yeah and I'm Josh Temple," I scanning the room.
"What's this Genma didn't say anything about a girl accompanying them on the journey."
"Um dad I thin Ranma's a girl too." Nabiki said as she poked Ranma's breast.
"Can you please stop that?" Ranma said.
The current information was too much for Soun to handle and he promptly fainted.
"That was," a slight pause "odd," I said and if memory served to be correct things were going to get weirder.
After a moment of lying on the floor Soun got up "But I was sure that Genma had a son."
Wait, its best not to show the curses now, I sent the message to Ranma who was on the verge of complaining.
"I'm sure we can put up Genma's daughter and friend until he shows up." Kasumi said.
". . . for a slight fee," Nabiki added.
"Whatever," I said as I took of my pack. The panda had wandered off and Akane was approaching Ranma. Their thoughts were roughly what I expected them to be the girls were generally relived that the engagement was off especially Akane who was revolted by the idea of being engaged to a boy.
"Would you like to spar?" Akane asked Ranma.
"Sure I guess, come on Josh."
As we walked to the dojo out back, Akane continued her questions "So do you know kempo?"
"A little?" Ranma responded.
"And you?"
"None, I'm not even a martial artist."
"That's odd."
I simply shrugged. As Akane and Ranma approached the dojo I excused myself so I could take a bath. Entering the kitchen I saw Kasumi. "Can I use your furo?"
"Sure, is Akane sparing with Ranma?"
"Last I checked."

In the furo I was sure to keep the water just under the temperature needed to change. I needed this in case someone came in like Akane. Over the coarse of the few weeks since being cursed, I had gotten used to this body and the mental powers. I had fond out that not only could I read minds and communicate telepathically I could also use a person's thoughts to get their location. Like my other abilities this one diminished with range. For example I could tell that Ranma-chan and Akane were just leaving the dojo, Kasumi was still in the kitchen, Nabiki was in her room, and Soun was in the tea-room with a now human Genma. He was telling Soun about how evil I was and that I had strange powers.
Fools, I thought as I got out of the tub and dried myself. As I dressed I had to admit that my girl from was very good looking. Looking into the mirror I saw a teenage girl, wearing baggy running pants, tee shirt and windbreaker, I would have had my boots but custom made me leave them at the door. I pulled my hair back into a high ponytail with a few loss strands at the temples, that completed the casual teen look except for the lack of bra and the boxer shorts. I pulled out the rubber band I used to tie my hair and let if flow freely. That changed my appearance to a significantly more feminine one. Sensing that Ranma was being sent up to bath, I pulled my hair into my normal pony tail.
As I exited I passed Ranma. I sent to him, Don't use the hot water Akane likes to barge in on things and she had a thing against guys especially those who beat her in combat.
Fine, Ranma acknowledged, Josh-chan had a knack for knowing what's about to happen despite, his claims at only being able to read minds.
I chucked reading Ranma's mind, good he's learning. I walked down the stairs to the tearoom were Genma was still talking with Soun.
Akane passed the room saw a strange man talking with her father and Josh with a smug look on her face. That must be Ranma's father. Odd, she thought looking at Josh's eyes, If I didn't know better I'd swear they were glowing. Akane shrugged and continued past the room and up the stairs.
Uh oh, I thought, Akane's going up. I decided that I should warn Ranma.
"See Soun, she defiantly has some type of evil power," Genma said pointing out my eye shine. In response I faced them so they could get the full view of my glowing eyes. I smirked at them and turned back to warning Ranma, Akane's coming up get out while you still can. I sensed Akane about to turn the knob, Hurry Ranma. Akane opened the door.

"Gee Ranma why do you have the water so cold?" Akane asked.
"Um no reason." Ranma-chan said as she got out of the furo.
"Well this water's a little to cold for me," Akane said as she added more hot water. Ranma-chan was careful not to get wet as she dried and dressed.
Good Ranma made it out. I thought.
As Ranma-chan entered the room, Genma bellowed, "Why are you still a girl boy?"
"What?" Nabiki asked who just entered before Ranma.
"I think we should wait for Akane to get out before we start the explanations." I said.

Akane came down the stairs to see her father sitting at the head of the table with Ranma and Josh sitting with who she assumed to be Genma on one side with her sisters on the other. She sat down in the open seat next to Nabiki. On the table was a pitcher of water, a kettle, and some glasses.
Genma started first, "I am Genma Saotome and this," pointing to the redhead, "is my son."
"What?" was the response of most of the Tendous.
"Here, let me demon..." Genma was cut of by Josh throwing a glass of cold water at him.
The panda glared at the telepath and used some of the hot water on the to reverse the change. Saying that this left the Tendous shocked was an understatement.
"You didn't take him to the Cursed Training Grounds of Jusenkyou did you?" Soun asked.
"It wasn't my fault the brochure was in Chinese."
"And you two have curses also?" Nabiki said pointing at Ranma-chan and myself.
"Yup," I said, as I poured some hot water on my self turning male.
Akane's eye twitches as she realized what Ranma might be. Ranma-chan then took a glass of hot water and used it. "You basted. You saw me naked." Akane stood up an malted Ranma.
"And how did you get cursed?" Nabiki asked, ignoring Akane who was still glaring at the slightly dazed Ranma.
Genma started, "It all started when this evil man tricked us..."
"Tell the story right." I said through clenched teeth."
"Um right."

After Genma told the story of how we became cursed. Nabiki started thinking Okay, one of flaky martial artist friends comes here to engage his hot shot son to one of us, aside from the curses makes sense, but what the deal with the other guy. His Japanese wasn't perfect, although it seemed better than Ranma, and he didn't look Japanese, Asian yes, and his first name was American.
Even without my telepathic abilities. I could tell Nabiki was trying to analyze me. "I suppose you want to here my story. I live, or used to live in upstate New York, at the Nelson Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth. It was summer break, and I was hiking in Colorado with my friends. During the second week we found this cave.
"Curios that it wasn't on the map because it was huge. Mean the entrance was over two stories tall. I was dared to go in the cave looked stable. So I took out my flashlight and went in. I was no more than 20 feet in when the entrance collapsed. The boulders were too heavy to move, o I looked for another exit elsewhere in the cave. When I found a way out I was in China. I hiked to the nearest settlement to find out what happened. That's when I entered the Cursed Valley."
"How did you get to China I you were in Colorado?" Nabiki asked skeptical about the explanation.
"The Guide said that Jusenkyou will create portals so it can spread the Chaotic effects of the springs. It will also try to lure people to the Springs."
"What about you family?" Kasumi asked.
"I did try and call my friends to tell them what happened, unfortunately they though I was an imposter."
"What?" Nabiki asked, curios and curioser.
"Well form their perspective they saw me crushed in a cave in. They most likely called in a rescue party but they obviously didn't find a body.
"So wouldn't the be more ready to believe that your alive."
"Aside from the curse how will they believe that I ended up in China."
"What about you family?"
"Let me tell you something about Nelson Academy. There are two requirements to enter one is to score in the top percentile in an entrance test another is to be a special case."
"Huh?"
"Nelson specializes in difficult, different, unstable, or insane people, its believed that most of the truly brilliant people work on a different level than other people."
"So you went to a school that was little more than an asylum for junior mad scientists," Nabiki bluntly said.
"More or less."
"How does this relate to your family."
"To start with I'm not on good terms with my family. They always liked my sister better than me they thought I was just a trouble maker so when they had the opportunity to send me off to a special school. They shipped me off as soon as possible."
"And your friends?"
"They're really paranoid people I mean they did go to Nelson."
Nabiki thought about what she was told it was implausible, but then again so were the curses. I have to keep an eye on this guy and what's with his eyes when he's a girl.
Soun was also thinking Ranma had already proved that he was a skilled martial artist and he was only half girl. "The engagement will go on. My daughters Kasumi 19, Nabiki 17, Akane 16, pick any one and he will be your fiancée."
"Oh he wants Akane," Nabiki said.
"Yes definitely," Kasumi added.
"What?!" Akane said her sisters were setting here up.
"Yes you're both the same age." Kasumi said.
"And you hate boys, he is half girl."
Akane's eye twitched first this girl beats her, then sees her naked all without telling her that she's really a boy and now she's engaged to . She picked up the table spilling the pitcher of water on the us while the empty kettle simply hit the floor.
Nabiki carefully watched the two change into girls Ranma's eyes stayed the same while the rest changed, but Josh's went from a flat green, to a glowing emerald-like color. Her observation was cut short as the end of the table slammed down on Ranma-chan.
"Their acting like a couple already," Soun said.
"Yes," Genma said as the two left to celebrate the uniting of the houses.
"So," Nabiki said after Akane put down the table, "What was the other spring you fell into?"
"Other spring?" I knew perfectly well what she was getting at, but I wanted to stall until Akane calmed down.
"Yes the one you fell into after getting splashed."
"Telepath," I said flatly.
"So you can read minds,"interesting, Nabiki thought, I could use this.
I won't work for free.
Nabiki's face changed, "So you can also communicate telepathically. What else can you do?"
"Not much I'm just a. . ." I then noticed Akane's line of thinking.
Great these freaks have taken away all of my privacy. She then turned to the smug looking telepath.
"What?" I said, "Its not like I asked to get cursed and end up stuck here." Akane grumbled something and left the room. "Moving on, Nabiki you have a computer right?"
"Yes, but why do you want it."
"Ranma can I show you where you and Josh will be staying," Kasumi said as she got up.
"Um ok," Ranma said as he followed her.
"I want to try and e-mail my friends."
"I thought they thought it was a hoax."
"They didn't believe phone calls, but e-mail may persuade them."
"Right, they think someone will go thought the trouble to fake your voice, but they'll believe an e-mail that is relatively easy to fake," Nabiki was skeptical of the telepathic blonde, "Now tell me the real reason why you want a computer."
"Remember these friends of mine are very paranoid people. I know a few codes that should convince them that I am really alive."
"So you send them a few key words and them what."
"Depends on what they plan to do." I omitted the fact that I used most of my access codes when I called them.
"It will cost you."
"I suspected as much, but remember I can figure out all of you passwords," I said as I left the room. I went to the entrance grabbed my pack and went to the room Kasumi was showing.
"Hey Ranma," I said as I put my pack down.
"Why does this crap keep happening to me? I mean first this damn curse, then being engaged to some emotional basket case." Ranma-chan said.
"I can't help you there, just try to think before you speak," I said as I left the room.
"Where are you going?"
"To get some water."
"Ok," Ranma-chan said as she followed me.

*******************************

I was meditating outside. I did this to practice and control my abilities. I found out that I could nearly double my range if I focused solely on it. I sensed that Ranma was getting agitated at something. I opened my eyes, got up and went to the house. "What's going on?"
"Pop wants me to go to school."
"Oh?"
"You should be going too," Nabiki said.
"One problem, the records list me as deceased."
"I think I can work around that."
"And the cost would be?"
"I think we can arrange something."

Inside Nabiki's room. I had just told Nabiki how to get into Nelson's record server.
"Okay change the deceased status in the main profile and update the files." Nabiki muttered to herself.
"Hmm you seem to know a thing or too about hacking," I observed.
"Its one of my hobbies," Nabiki said as she turned back to the monitor, "As do you I mean knowing the passwords for sysadmin level access."
"My roommate back was majorly into computers and stuff. He would constantly mess with the records."
"Ok I set it up so that instead of you being dead you were just transferred to Fuurinkan High."
"Can I use you computer now?"
"Sure but it will add to you fee."
"Which is," already knowing what Nabiki planed to do.
"I'll think of something," She said scanning up and down my body.
"Oh god."
"That's right physic girl."
"Fine but let me send some e-mails first."

Several hours later I came out of the dojo my windbreaker was zipped up and I was carrying a rather large bag, Ranma was sparing with Genma good I won't have to face them yet, I entered the house through the porch door, and was spotted by Akane who was watching TV.
"Hi Josh I'm sorry about getting mad at you before I mean it's not your fault you got cursed, and you're out here alone and. . ." Akane then noticed something odd about the blonde, "What were you doing out there."
Damn-it, I cursed inwardly "Working with Nabiki."
It then clicked for Akane, buxom blonde Nabiki, closed room, "Open your jacket."
I had two choices refuse and get pounded for suspicion of being a pervert, or open it and remove all doubt. I couldn't stop her not without any martial arts skills and without my blaster, although brining a gun into a situation like this was bound to cause problems. I decided to bite the bullet.
Akane's eye twitched when the blonde opened here coat showing that she was only wearing a one piece swimsuit underneath it. I was a tight, neon green fabric that left nothing to the imagination. "Why are you wearing that?" she said through gritted teeth the only thin that saved Josh-chan from being pounded was the fact that she was non-combatant.
"Remember when Nabiki set up my records this," indicating the suit, "is how she indented her to pay me back."
It did sound like one of her sister's schemes, "Where did you get the clothes," pointing to the bag, "or were you always a cross-dresser."
"No Nabiki bought them of coarse the fee was added to my tab which meant even more pics in stuff like this," once again I indicated the swimsuit.
Yup Akane thought definitely one of Nabiki's plans, Akane though, Okay being forced into it made Josh less a hentai but still a pervert. "At least you tab is paid off."
"For now," I said as I made it to my room. Once there I took of my jacket and my pants I was about to change out of this wretched suit, when an alarm went of in my mind, call it precognition, but it turned around just in time to see Ranma-chan fly through the open window.
Ranma-chan looked up to see Josh-chan standing over her in a small green swimsuit. "WHY are you wearing that."
"Don't worry Nabiki will get you soon." I was about to take the suit off when I sensed Nabiki come in. The door opened with the flash of a camera.
"Finally I get a dual shot," Nabiki said turning to Ranma, "You know you should follow the example of your friend. She's very photogenic."
"You will pay for that one." I said clenching my fists.
"You're still angry after a bough you all those nice clothes."
"I will. Get cash, next time."
"Oh, angry hold that pose." Nabiki said as she took another picture and left.
"Nabiki really got you."
"At least she set up school registration for me and I did get to use her computer."
"And you got some pretty clothes."
"What are you jealous," I said walking towards her, "we are the same size," I was about an inch from Ranma-chan "we can share," I started to pull down the straps. Blood started to ooze from her nose. I took a few steps back.
"God, you're gullible," I said as I changed into my normal clothing and stored my 'girl clothes' in the bottom of my pack, "Nabiki will have you by the end of the week. Why didn't baka-panda come up after you."
"Don't know maybe Kasumi has dinner ready."
"I don't think so, no one's at the table," I said.
"So that rules out food."
"He's just on the porch with Soun probably playing go or shoji. Hmm, Akane's cooking tonight."
"Really she hasn't cooked yet during the time we've been here."
"Concerned that your fiancée's a good cook."
"Its not that I mean it was just arranged yesterday."
"Whatever I'm gonna watch some TV."
I went down to the living room and turned on the TV. They had a fair amount of channels most likely cable. Switching to MSNBC I started to watch the news, or as close to news that Microsoft and General Electric can be. I can't believe that the two largest companies on the planet, according to their stock volume, created their own media outlet.
"Dinner," Akane called.
I went to the dinning room to see Akane dolling out some type of slop. I noticed that Ranma had returned to his male form. As I sat down Ranma asked, "What is this glop?"
"Ranma I spent a lot of time making this you will eat it," Akane said.
The Tendous were nervously, switching between the gunk on their plates and the steaming Akane. While Genma slipped away, for once I agreed with him. I excused myself to get some hot water and didn't leave the kitchen.
"I guess you want to break them up don't you?" Genma said.
"Why do you ask?" I said after using some water on myself.
"You try and destroy all of my plans."
"Your most bonehead plans happened before I came along. All I did was tell Ranma what you were going to do to him."
"So naturally you want to break up the engagement."
"No they might have a future," I said while Akane screamed at Ranma for being a jerk and Ranma responded by calling her an uncute tomboy, "but they do have some issues to get over. The real problem is when the other fiancées and enemies find you and they will find you."
"The things I did were for the art," Genma said with pride.
"I always thought you did those things because you were an idiot."
"Humph" Genma said as he left the room.
I went back to the dining room just in time to see Akane leave the room in a storm. Ranma was sprawled on the floor with a broken mallet next to him. Kasumi was cleaning up the dishes while Nabiki was hiding behind the financial pages. Soun appeared to have left with Genma.
"Hey man get up," I waved my hand over his face. Damn it I muttered as I walked to the sink to fill a bucket. I then proceeded to dump it on Ranma.
"What, you do that for?" Ranma-chan said holding her head.
"You were out cold," I said, "So what did she cook?"
"She called it curry," Nabiki said without looking up from here paper.
"And it tasted like?"
"I'm not dumb enough to eat it."
"Ranma?"
"Kinda like burnt Styrofoam mixed with raw guano."
"She's improving," Nabiki observed.
"I'm turning in."
"Might as well too." Ranma-chan said as she filled a cup of hot water.

I was in my room checking the blaster. I had checked the charges of the magazines and had examined the mechanism for errors. I pulled out the small holster I had also found for the weapon. I put the gun in the holster. Tomorrow I'd wear it in the small of my back under my coat. Id' keep the other clips on me just in case. After careful deliberation I decided that in the long run I should explain to them The Group sooner rather than later my past would eventually come up, and in the mean time I would need some form of protection. Damn group training getting to me again. I put the holster deep in my pack under the girl stuff that Nabiki snagged me into.
Ranma came into the room just after I finished synching up the pack. "Hey, how's it going "
"Akane seems to have calmed down."
"Just think before you talk," I said as I continued to fiddle with the pack.
"Wonder what school's gonna be like?" Ranma said as he organized his
"You don't want to know." I said getting up.
"What?"
"When you were told that you were going to school. I got feelings of pity and irritation from both Nabiki and Akane."
"They don't like it."
"Nah more like they don't like some of the people in it."
"Who," Ranma was getting slightly bored at Josh's mind games or was he just tired.
"I got two people one was this guy with a wooden sword of some type about our age, and other was some guy possibly a teacher with a tree growing out of his head."
"A tree in his head."
"Probably just a metaphor, I think they're related," I laid down on my futon, "Not that I can believe anything will be normal again."

*******************************

We were walking towards Fuurinkan. The morning had started with me waking up just before Genma started his morning sparing with Ranma. During the hike trough China I learned to set my alarm so I could avoid the trouble. This meant that while Ranma was rushing to find his stuff. I could sit back and pace myself granted I was half asleep.
Ranma was now walking on top of the fence. Akane was grumbling about perverts, I wasn't sure exactly what I was still male. Nabiki had already left early undoubtedly to sell info on the new students and the pictures she took earlier. I simply stood of to the side keeping a lower profile.
Luckily I was far enough behind Ranma so that when he got hit with the ladle lady I didn't get wet. While Akane took Ranma-chan to a nearby clinic to get some hot water, I continued on to the school I slipped past the phalanx of boys waiting for Akane. Then I waited by the main doors. Leaning on the wall facing the gates. A few people came over an asked who I was. I said that I was an exchange student from the states. I used the right mixture of charisma and boring traits to make myself appear to be an average person of little interest. How to blend into the background was a trait that group had trained me in.
Akane had just entered the gate with Ranma behind them. The door opened and Nabiki came out. "Watching the match, I see," Nabiki said indicating Akane who had now engaged the mob.
"Your behind this aren't you?"
"Nope he is," Nabiki said pointing at Kunou who had just walked onto the scene.
"Is that the idiot that you sold those pictures to?"
"Most of them."
"Idiot."
"What?"
"Not you him," indicating Kunou.
"Oh."
"What are the odds that he'll end up hating Ranma but end up in love with his girl side."
"About the same for you."
"What you got some photos of him?"
"They're not as provocative as yours."
"Meaning that you took them without his knowledge."
Meanwhile Kunou had been speaking "I Kunou Tatewaki, Blue Thunder of Fuurinkan High announce that I am on a quest to find two fair maidens , one it the beautiful pigtailed girl a fiery goddess, and the equally exquisite emerald eyed girl. I regret that this endeavor will reduce the time I spend with my fair Akane, my decree still stands."
"You really do suck, you know that Nabiki."
"I could have brought a bucket."
"You shouldn't threaten a telepath."
"You're not one right now."
"You could have brought a bucket."
Nabiki mumbled something and walked back into the building. I waited until Ranma finished fighting Kunou. Who then walked to the door.
"Great I've now got this to deal with."
"What do you think he'll do when he finds out about the curses?" I asked.
"Trust me Kunou's too stupid to find out about the curses," Akane said.

*******************************

The day had gone by remarkably normally it had only taken three hours for the curses to be revealed, courtesy of Kunou coming in with a supersoaker. He then sprayed the room with the weapon, drenching everyone. I found out why he did such a stupid thing after I changed.
Kunou was confident that the 'magic' talisman that Nabiki had sold her would work, he had paid considerably for it, and low an behold the two goddesses that he was searching for appeared in the room along with the lovely Akane.
"Pigtailed girl and Emerald eyed girl at last my quest is over I have found you," Kunou ranted rushing towards me.
"Back. Off." I said reaching in my open jacket.
"Why do you reject my affection doubles you're blinded by my glory," Kunou prattled, as he continued to get closer.
I flipped off the strap that held the gun on the holster. I had kept the blaster in military safe where it was cocked with the safety off but the strap prevented the hammer from falling, why an energy weapon needed a hammer to it was beyond me, but this mode made it quickly accessible and very safe. In one smooth motion I pulled the weapon out its holster and drew a bead on Kunou's chest.
Kunou was to say the least puzzled why did the goddess draw a weapon on her, Was she under some vile spell or was it, his taught was cut short as some sort of energy impacted with his body. It was a pencil thin beam that rushed out of the barrel of the gun knocking Kunou out as fast as it came. The room
switched between the unconscious Kunou and the girl, who a few minuets ago was a boy, who fired on him. Many people fantasized about it sure but no one though someone would actually shoot Kunou.
I saw the shock on everyone's faces, smoothly putting the gun back, "He'll wake up in about an hour or so perfectly fine except for a killer headache."
The teacher was at a lack of words first two students had changed into girls then one of them shot Kunou granted it was in self defense and he didn't seem to be harmed. A long time resident in Nerima and teacher at Fuurinkan he knew about an unwritten rule that one overlooked certain people when it came to some rules. This applied to the weird things and martial artists of the ward. "Gosunkui please take Kunou to the nurses office."
After the amateur magician dragged the village idiot out of the room. The eyes switched between Ranma and myself. After Akane explained the curses she then turned to ma and asked what's the deal with the gun. After sending a message that I would explain it later, after I reholstered my blaster.

*******************************

After that incident the students seemed to just ignore us. Either they were pretending the curses didn't exist or they were used to weird crap like this. Unfortunately Ranma got some hot water before I could get a good read. I didn't want to add Telepathy to my list of weird things although the fact that Nabiki hasn't sold off that information puzzled me.
The bell rung and the students started filling out for lunch. "What the hell was that?" Ranma said as he approached me.
"Here," I said pulling out the blaster. I pulled out the power pack and handed the blaster to him.
Ranma held the gun as if it was a dead fish, and glared at me, Akane was standing further back fuming.
"Look its not like it actually hurts people, and you can't deny that he didn't deserve it."
Ranma put the gun down on the desk.
"I'm not a martial artist usually I can talk my way out of a fight but sometimes," I trailed off as I inserted the magazine and reholstered it. Hearing a creak near the door I turned to it, "You might as well come out."
Nabiki steeped into the room, "Question, where'd you get the heat?"
"A friend of mine builds these things."
"The same friend who's a hacker."
"Nope."
"Odd that someone would know both a gunsmith and a hacker."
"And what contacts do you have?"
Ranma was having a mental battle between hunger and curiosity.
"Fine but that seems to be an odd number of coincidences."
"This place is nothing compared to Nelson," I said getting up.

*******************************

Meanwhile across the world three teenagers were in a cramped dorm room. The most prominent feature was a large collection of computer towers, monitors, and other peripherals. One was sitting at a chair behind the main collection of monitors, he was average in height he had brown hair parted on the left, and his gray eyes scanned the scrolling text on one of the screens.
"Alright James, why did you call us here?" said the a tall person about 6-4 who was sitting on one of the beds in the room.
"Remember those signals we kept getting that used Josh's login."
"Yes."
"I tracked where its coming from"
"And?"
"I verified all the signals, it is his voice and all the codes are correct."
"Get to the point."
"I mean Warren. We have two options, one someone has all the authorization codes of this cell, or somehow Josh survived."
"But I saw Josh get crushed, we all did, and the signal came from China and Japan unless it was bounced through there."
"No the signal definitely did come from those places right now they've been coming from Tokyo specifically Nerima."
"That reminds me its your turn to watch Sandy," said the shorter, half asleep guy.
"What did she do this time, Bob?"
"She tried to light me on fire."
"That's ironic," Warren said.
"Well she does blame use for killing her little brother," James said.
"But she doesn't even like him," the pyromaniac said.
"I think she misses tormenting him," Warren said.
"Back to the point," James said, turning to face the others, "On the two options one if its a person who has compromising information we'd have to go to Nerima and stop them."
"Couldn't we just reprogram or system and leave it at that."
"Already did it but we have to find out how they got the codes. I mean Josh was buried alive he couldn't have told so they have some method of finding out all our secrets, or he's alive and for some reason ended up in Japan."
"So you recommend going there to find out what's happening?" Warren asked he had to admit James did make sense.
"Yes but considering the security problems we've been having we should pack up and store our extra equipment."
"It could be a trap?" said Bob.
"Most likely," James said, "but we're used to situations like this."
"Okay what's on the list of things we need to do," Warren asked.
"First we need some sort of scan to get out of school, pack up all our extra equipment, rent some mini-storage space to hide it in during the mission, find a way to smuggle our mission supplies through customs, and gather intelligence on the area where the signals came from," James listed.
"Okay I know a storage place and I have this guy in the port authority who owes The Group a favor," Bob listed.
"And I should be able to get all the necessary intel on the ward, and I can program in some student exchange thing on the school computers," James said.
"Good but the exchange program will raise suspicion," Warren said.
"I can add a bunch of other people to it."
"Good. I'm glad that Bob didn't convince us to take Turkish."
"Hey its a perfectly good language," Bob argued.
"Then why did you take Japanese with the rest of us?" James asked.
"Shut up."
"Okay I need an ETA on when we can leave."
"I'd say three weeks," James said, "Is that right Bob?"
"Sure I can make it work by then."
"Good, I'll call command and tell them about our next mission," Warren said

End Chapter 1

Things seem to be changing, and what is The Group?