Disclaimer: Ranma and co. don’t belong to me but to Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 1: Two Many Apprentices

The Mattie Horn rode the low waves smoothly, sleek and powerful as she coursed confidently through the ocean. The captain in charge of the royal merchant ship eyed the fair skies good-naturedly, knowing that if the good weather lasted, he might make it to port earlier than he’d thought and earn himself a nice little bonus.

After all, he carried precious cargo that would be delivered to the king’s man as soon as he lay anchor. Yes, early entry would earn him a fat bag of gold. They should sight land in just a few hours.

On the deck of the ship, sailors talked and laughed and worked hard as they too kept an eye on the weather. The scent of land came to them on the sea breeze and made them homesick. They had been away from Nerima for too long.

Up on the tiny, creaky crow’s nest, the little cabin boy watched the endless blue sheet of water gleaming before him in the sunlight. He shaded his eyes with a dirty little palm even as his eyes strained ahead, for the captain had promised a silver piece to the first man to spot land.

What was that?

The boy sat up, curious. Had he imagined that silver flash? He held the pose for a minute, shielding his eyes from the sun.There it was again. What in the seven seas was it? It looked like… The boy got to his feet, leaning over the edge of the nest. Then, his eyes bulged out, and he let out a shout.

“Captain! Captain! Sea monster!”

Below him, the sailors looked up curiously.

“Seijiro! What did you say?” they called up.

“Seeeea monster!” Seijiro bellowed in terror, leaving his perch and skimming down the ropes as fast as he could.

“Did he say sea monster?” enquired a sailor, smiling uncertainly at his fellows.

“Look! Look!” the boy shouted as he got closer. He dashed to the ship’s railing and paused to point in the direction of the ship’s prow.

The first mate got out a spyglass.

“Hellfire! It’s a bleedin’ snake as big as a friggin’ dragon!” he cried out, even as he stared through his instrument, aghast. His sun burnt skin turned an odd gray colour.  

Sailors ran to the edge of the ship, grasping the side and squinting into the sun.

“A dragon? Don’t be ridiculous!” cried the captain, not daring to leave his post at the wheel.

But now all the sailors could see it. Approaching them at a supernaturally high speed, a long silver thread glinted on the surface of the sea as it raced towards them. Even as the captain tried to believe his eyes, the sailors rushed for every weapon they could find.

“Rami, take care of the…!” Their cargo had to be protected, too.

“I’m on it, Captain!” The first mate ran for the lower deck.

Within minutes, the serpent had reached them and there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was indeed what the boy had claimed. Coil after shining coil looped around the wooden ribs of the ship even as the hapless sailors hacked futilely at the metallic scales with their weapons. A great long face, almost horselike in shape, more than twenty feet from ear to jaw, grinned with sharp needle fangs at them. Huge webbed ears sprang out above each jaw.

As the serpent opened its deep red mouth wide and darted towards the deck, the cabin boy looked close and saw in astonishment that a young man was seated astride the serpent. The young man, a few years older than himself, was grinning from ear to ear, and he appeared to be talking into the serpent’s ear.

Then the serpent’s coils crushed the ship to matchwood, and even as Seijiro stared at the boy riding the serpent, he fell into the sea.

Sailors dived off the ship, abandoning the Mattie Horn in her death throes. The masts keeled over as the serpent charged through the remnants of planks and cargo, its muscular tail causing even more destruction as it flailed back and forth.

The broken masts floated in the water, two of them still attached to each other with rigging. Sailors swam to them, fighting to keep afloat.

In the water, Seijiro watched the boy riding the serpent. No one else seemed to be aware of him. They were busy trying to save their lives.

As the older boy looked about, grinning at the scene he’d caused, his fierce blue eyes met Seijiro’s brown ones for a moment. Unlike the cabin boy’s soft cotton shorts and ragged shirt, the rider’s clothes were black and rich, ornate in design. His black hair flew around his head like a demons’ aura, Sejiro dreamily thought, unaware that he was immobile from shock and the cold water. Even as he stared at the mysterious serpent rider, Seijiro’s vision dimmed to two tiny pinpoints.

The serpent-rider watched indifferently as the boy sank silently into the arms of the sea.

******

On a lonely stretch of sandy beach, Ranma hefted a sack and dismounted from the great silver serpent. He snapped his fingers to dismiss her even as he approached the entrance to his own master’s dwelling place, a cave.

She made a low, fluting sound and Ranma stopped.

“Enough! You’ve had your fun,” he said without looking back at his loving pet. “Go home. I’ll call you when I want you.”

The serpent slid silently back into the water, hardly a gurgle noting her passing.

Ranma moved his left palm over the cave entrance. Something shimmered there, and he passed through without disturbing the soft sand under his finely crafted boots. Even as he stepped into a large, domed hall, something hard clanged against the wall next to him, and fell down.

He paused, looked down mildly at the fallen dented copper pot.

“I assume I’ve displeased you again,” he said.

“R…Ranma! Wretched creature! I told you to bring me some g…game before you left!” Another metal pot smashed mere inches away from Ranma’s shoulder. “What do you expect me to c…cook when you’re always gallivanting around?!”

Amused, he looked up at the thrower. He hardly noticed her angry stammer anymore. It was quite lost in her personality.

“I thought you’d go get it yourself, witch,” he said mildly. “Was that task too hard for you, or were you just too damn lazy?”

“W…What did you say?” Shampoo screeched. “I’m lazy? What about you, you jackass? Were you too busy making sandcastles with your w…wittle pet?””

“I was given an errand, Shampoo,” he said, bowing mockingly.

“Errand?” shouted the lavender haired girl in the homespun gown. “What sort of errand…?”

“I sent him on an errand, Shampoo,” drawled a deep masculine voice, making Shampoo’s eyes widen in surprise and dismay.

She bowed immediately. “My lord Kulloden,” she whispered. “I d…didn’t know…”

Darkness moved, pooled, grew into a figure of a man with two long, shining shanks of hair that fell past his shoulders, held back only by a knot. His robes were of deepest black. His face like the blade of a knife- sharp and dangerous. His deep-set eyes regarded Ranma and Shampoo with amusement.

“Master Kulloden,” Ranma said, and bowed deep, this time with no mockery.

“My apprentices,” Kulloden said. “Shampoo, it is not for you to question what Ranma does with his time. His time is mine, as is yours. Need I remind you?”

“N...no, Master,” Shampoo sounded suitably chastened, yet Ranma could tell she was already plotting payback for his own earlier comments.  No doubt Kulloden knew it too, yet he was content to let his two apprentices bicker between themselves. Only today he apparently had no patience for it.

“Ranma!” he barked. “Make your report to me.”

“Master,” Ranma went to one knee, yet still looking up proudly. “The attack went well. The king’s men were caught completely unawares, and Sivari was able to annihilate the ship…”

“Yes yes,” his master said impatiently. “Did you get the treasure?”

“I did, my lord,” Ranma said, letting the sack he was carrying slide down to the ground with a solid thump.

“It was ready?” Kulloden moved forward eagerly. “You were careful, my son, were you not?”

“Ready and waiting, my lord,” Ranma replied. “I had to crush the ship to find it, but your man had the sack waiting for me just before he jumped into the water with the other sailors. I was careful, as you commanded. I made sure it stayed dry, and I was gentle with it.”

He didn’t bother telling them about fishing the young half-drowned cabin boy out of the water and depositing him with the other sailors on the floating masts.

“Wonderful!” Kulloden exclaimed, moving forward to untie the mouth of the sack. “It seems some in the palace are loyal to me after all.” He peered inside, chuckled, and lifted up the sack.

“Behold their precious cargo!” he proclaimed, and tilted the sack so that a damp, mussed young woman fell out and landed, unconscious, on the sandy floor.

Ranma and Shampoo looked on in some surprise, though Ranma less than Shampoo. The feel of a body, even in a bag, was unmistakable.The girl lay on the floor, clothed in a thin, silken gown that clung to her limbs, her long blue-black hair wrapped around her pale skin like tangled seaweed.

“Is this…?” Ranma said, then stopped. He ran his gaze over the girl, the way her chest fell and rose so shallowly.

“Yes! This is only the first part, remember.” Kulloden moved to stand over the limp form that reminded Ranma uncomfortably of a broken doll he’d seen somewhere.

“The p…princess of the T…Tendos,” Shampoo said wide-eyed. She crept closer, taking in every detail of limb and face and dress, no doubt satisfying her curiosity about royalty. Ranma had no such curiosity. He turned away and walked to the low stone table and poured himself a flagon of wine.

“That’s correct, my little Shampoo,” Kulloden was saying. His deep, hollow black eyes were alight with triumph. “Princess Akane, the sister of Prince Kuno, daughter of the Tendo king. A precious prize, indeed.”

Ranma said nothing, only took a deep drink of wine from his cup.

The sorcerer turned to his servant.

“You are unhappy, Ranma, my child,” he noted. “You disapprove?”

Ranma shook his head. “You might have told me what I was stealing, lord.”

“I’ve been planning this for longer than you can know,” Ranma’s master said coldly. “You both know that much. You are privy to my greatest plans. You quibble over details?”

“Of course not, lord.” Ranma drained his cup and set it aside. “Your desire is always my command.”

“So… the princess… has been kidnapped,” Shampoo said slowly. She looked apprehensive and excited at the same time. “Oh, my lord, d…does that mean it is t…time for…?”

 “Yes. You may prepare the cauldron. I have nearly completed the spell. And now I have my last required ingredient. Soon, we’ll be ready.” The sorcerer studied the prone princess. “Ranma, convey her to a secure place. We have great need of her. For now.”

Ranma watched as the sorcerer turned to a column of oily darkness and melted away. Then he approached the small heap on the floor.

“L…look at her, asleep on the floor!” Shampoo was indignant. “Daughter of a k…king. Pah! Useless! W…what a useless life she leads! A l…leech on the public!”

“Since when do you care about the public?” Ranma slapped Shampoo lightly on the back.

“S…since never, but royalty shouldn’t be so hoity-toity!” Shampoo’s animosity had found a different target.

“Time to move our royalty.”

“W…Where will you put her?” Shampoo asked, her irritation suddenly forgotten in her excitement.

Ranma considered. “The hole, I suppose. Where else?”

Shampoo shuddered as he’d known she would. “T…The hole! She’ll scream herself hoarse in there! Why not the p…pantry? It has a barred door. And w…we won’t have to hear screaming.”

Ranma shrugged and bent to pick up the slight form. For a princess, she was very light, he thought. Her clothes were nearly transparent, made of layers of soft veils. Only her hair made her heavy. Long locks of it hung from her head, hiding her face and caressing his legs as he walked with her towards the pantry.

Ranma did not think of her at all as he walked.

**********

Princess Akane Le Tatewaki Ur Tendo woke up with a cold. Her head felt like a throbbing sponge, and her nose was ready to drop off.

Eyes still closed, Akane wondered where her nurse was, even as she grimaced at the unaccustomed hardness of her bed. Immediately she smoothed out her features. Princesses never grimaced.

“S…she’s awake!” A voice pierced her thoughts. “I thought the potion would keep her asleep a few more hours.”

“Her blood is royal, stupid. Have you already forgotten our studies about royal blood? You’ll never be a sorceress at this rate.”

“Just s…shut up, Ranma!”

Akane tried to open her eyes, but they seemed sealed shut. She lifted her hand, expecting a servant to instantly give her a cup of hot chocolate. No such cup was forthcoming. Akane finally cracked one eye open, and peered around.

Oh, she was still dreaming. Hmm, she seemed to be in some sort of cave this time. She caressed the sandy floor with one hand. It felt remarkably real. She touched a hand to her gown. It was very stiff and seemed to be full of particles. What an uncomfortable dream to be having!

“You’re not dreaming,” came an amused voice, and Akane looked around. She was in a small cave, and a barred door held her in. Through the bars, she could see two people. Both were odd looking, but one caught her attention immediately. He was a young man of her own age, dressed in damp black velvet, trimmed with silver. He stood formally, as befitted a noble, yet there was an odd ease about him as he watched her. Why was he watching her? No man was allowed to look at the royal princess so boldly! His cobalt-blue eyes studied her casually, with a familiarity that made her blush. She switched her attention to the girl, lavender haired.

“T…This is real and you’re n…not dreaming,” stammered the girl, a twisted smile on her face.

“I…Who are you?” Akane asked uncertainly.

“N…No one you need to know, princess,” the girl snapped.

Akane stared. Surely she hadn’t dreamt up someone this rude, had she? And who was the mysterious looking prince? Was he here to rescue her?

The girl snorted. “What a shrinking violet! Well, we’ve been w…waiting for you to wake up!”

She opened the door and bent to enter Akane’s prison. Akane watched timidly as the girl came forward, backing away at the same time.

“C…Come here!” Shampoo said harshly. She caught the shocked Akane in her grasp, wound a hand around her long hair, and with a flash of her silver knife, severed the princess’ silky black locks even as she muttered words in an arcane language.

Akane went into shock. Had...had the girl truly cut off her hair? At about this time, it occurred to Akane that she could not have dreamt up something so horrible as someone cutting off her prized hair. This was all real. This girl was real. The boy standing at the entrance, watching her, was no prince, but some horrible demon!

And they had cut off her hair!

Stunned beyond any words, Akane slowly moved a hand towards her hair, then stopped. She couldn’t bear to touch the cropped off ends. She watched as Shampoo grabbed the silken locks and let herself out.

“G…Good bye, violet, though, w…when you think about it, I’ll be s…seeing you frequently!” She giggled and told the boy, “Bring her!”

“Why don’t you bring her, ‘violet’?” Ranma glanced pointedly at Shampoo’s hair.

Shampoo hissed wordlessly at him and left, Akane’s hair clutched to her bosom.

*************************** 

Ranma watched as the princess’ hand hovered uncertainly over her cropped hair. The girl had the look of a deer caught by a hunter, her big brown eyes wide and stunned, and tear-filled. She was completely oblivious to him. She stared after Shampoo with an expression of inconsolable loss.

Why on earth had she taken it so hard? It was just hair. She ought to look more scared about her captivity.

“Hair grows back, you know. It’s just a matter of time.” Ranma snapped his mouth shut when the princess turned her tear-filled eyes to him. What had made him blurt that out? He’d been determined not to even talk to her.

“Where am I?” she breathed. “What’s happened to me?”

 Even as Ranma watched, comprehension came into her eyes.

“I was on the ship…” she said slowly. “A water dragon attacked us, I think. I heard the sailors yelling, and then someone grabbed me from behind, tried to force that vile concoction down my throat…”

She’d used the old folk name for the serpent, Ranma noted.

“You’re my master’s prisoner,” he said shortly. “That’s all you need to know.”

“Will you…will you ransom me?” she asked softly.

“Yes,” Ranma lied.

She sat back, relief in her bent posture. Then she tensed as Ranma slowly entered the prison. She stared up at him fearfully, crouched at his feet with her shorn hair and ragged clothes, reminding him yet again of a small discarded doll. Suddenly impatient with his odd imaginings, Ranma wrapped an arm around her slim waist and threw her over his shoulder, ignoring her screams.

“No, please!” she cried, her mouth muffled against his back. “What are you doing? Where are you taking me?”

“Hush!” he said sternly, tightening his fingers around her thighs. She gave a muffled sob.

He walked back up into the main hall, where a large, cast iron cauldron was bubbling in the fire pit in the middle of the room. Akane twisted around him to see where he was headed and saw Kulloden and the cauldron.

“Now,” said Kulloden, who was standing over the cauldron. Beside him, Shampoo tossed the handfuls of hair she’d stolen from Akane, then looked up at her master with trepidation.

“Trust me, Shampoo,” he said.

Shampoo closed her eyes, pulled off her homespun gown and jumped in. Immediately the mixture bubbled up. Kulloden frowned and said a few words. The mixture smoothed out, grew translucent, and became as clear as water.

Out of this mixture rose a humanoid form. Ranma’s captive tensed against the curve of his shoulder as yet another shock was dealt to her.

Princess Akane, smiling and long-haired, stood hip deep in the cauldron.

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

AN: Akane won’t stay as timid as she looks! If you like the story, review! Aw, review anyway! :)  C’mon, click the button now…