Cat Fist Fury



Ranma 1/2 belongs to you-know-who and you know the rest.



<>: Thoughts

<"">: Chinese language



                                 Chapter Two

                               A New Beginning



     Ranma, the saber toothed tiger, ran through the forest that was 

near the mountain cave where he had been living for the last two 

weeks since his transformation. As he raced through the foliage, 

his mind went back to the day in which he had become cursed. It 

was not a day that he would not likely forget.



Two weeks ago

     After bolting from Jusenkyo in a fit of blind rage, Ranma ran 

toward the mountains, not caring where he was going. All that 

mattered was that his life as a human was over. He was now cursed 

to spend the rest of his days as a savage beast.

     It was already well past midnight when Ranma finally became 

exhausted and took refuge in one of the many mountain caves that 

were scattered about the area. As he laid himself down for the 

night, his thoughts about Genma were dark ones. <Stupid, stupid, 

stupid old man! It's his fault I'm like this! Damn him! He just had 

to find that training ground, even though he couldn't speak a word 

of Chinese! It was bad enough that he put me through that Cat Fist! 

But> Ranma's thoughts trailed off as he began to think about it. 

<Wait a second! If I'm a cat, then how come I'm not scared of 

myself right now?>

     Ranma began to think about it for a while. After a long period 

of thought, he came to a conclusion. <Well I'll be damned! I 

guess when I became a cat, then my fear of cats must have been 

totally erased! Now there's a twist! I guess I don't have to worry 

about being afraid anymore. Then againas a cat, that means I'll 

never be able to go near humans again. I'll never see Mom again. 

I'll>

     Not caring that it was unmanly for him to shed tears (though he 

wasn't a man at present) Ranma cried himself to sleep.



The present

     It had taken Ranma two weeks to finally accept that his life had 

been irrevocably altered. During this period of adjustment, he had 

decided to test the limits and abilities of his new form. Naturally, 

Ranma had to hunt in order to survive. His feline form was 

powerful enough to rip a tank open like a can of soda. His 

strength, endurance, speed and reflexes were far greater than 

before and his stamina was phenomenal. He found out he could 

run at a top speed of 70 mph and unlike a cheetah, could maintain 

it for hours. His senses were incredibly sensitive, especially 

smell and hearing. He had also discovered that he had sharp night 

vision and could detect heat emanations, no matter how faint. He 

had also found out he had a kind of sixth sense. He wasn't sure 

how it worked, but he could always feel when someone was 

watching him or when danger was near.

     The past two weeks had been exhilarating, to say the least. 

Hunting for food helped take his mind off his present condition. 

After a couple of days of squeamishness, Ranma soon developed a 

taste for raw meat. Catching fish in the mountain streams was 

easy, and he had already had eaten sushi before. And during this 

time, Ranma had discovered something else. Freedom from his 

father Genma. He could do what he wanted, and not have to worry 

about that idiot trying to mess up his life anymore. No more 

stupid training sessions. No more dragging him off to another 

place and destroying any chance of making friends. Ranma was 

eating better than he ever had living with him. Even though he 

could no longer associate with people anymore, the thought of not 

having to be with his father was something he could live with.



One week later

     Ranma had just caught himself a fat and juicy wild boar. The 

chase had been short but intense as the pig had tried to fight when 

he cornered it. Although it had very wicked looking tusks, 

Ranma's teeth and claws made short work of it. As Ranma sat 

down to dine, his ears perked up and his danger sense went off. 

Something or someone was coming. As he sniffed the air around 

him, he caught the distinctive scent of rare Chinese herbs. He also 

picked up the unmistakable scent of humans. Not wanting to be 

seen he abandoned his meal and hid himself among the rocks that 

were on a ledge overlooking the spot where he had killed the boar. 

He hunched down and peered from around a huge boulder.

     Shampoo and her three friends were stealthily moving toward 

the spot where they had heard the commotion. Their group had 

picked up the sounds of some huge animal fighting a wild boar, 

and they came to investigate. When they came to the site, they 

found the remains of the boar and began looking around for what 

had killed it. As they searched, Ranma observed them from his 

hiding spot.

     The girls appeared to around fifteen or so and were dressed in 

elaborate clothes. Each girl carried a weapon and moved with 

subtle grace. Obviously martial artists. He became especially 

interested in the cute girl with purple hair, who seemed to radiate 

confidence and power. She carried a pair of steel maces.

     Ranma considered leaving the scene, but decided against it. He 

was far too close to them, and they would likely detect any move 

he made. He also noted that one of the Amazons carried a bow and 

arrow. Although he had a very thick hide, he wasn't willing to find 

out if he was arrow proof. He became extremely nervous as one 

of the girls drew near to where he was hiding.

     It was at that time that something crashed into the clearing. The 

four girls turned their heads and saw something enter and let off a 

roar. The Amazons backed off as they saw what it was.

     The sight of a huge grizzly bear in China was a rare one. 

Grizzlies were not native to this part of the world. This one 

however, had just escaped from a traveling circus near Cloudgate 

Pass. After weeks of being cooped up in a cage and forced to do 

inane tricks, the bear had decided that enough was enough. After 

crushing the skulls of a couple of the handlers during a 

performance, the animal bolted from the circus and had made its 

way to the Bayankala Mountains. Once it established its territory, 

the bear was used this neck of the woods as its personal hunting 

ground. 

     The female warriors readied their weapons to fend off the 

beast. The bear lunged at the nearest one, just as she prepared her 

sword for a slash. Unfortunately, as she stepped back, she tripped 

over a rock that jutted out from the ground. She fell down on her 

back and let out a yelp of pain. She had twisted her ankle. The girl 

who had a bow and arrows was just about to loose her projectile at 

the bear when a huge black blur streaked over their heads and 

plowed into the grizzly, knocking him back against a tree. As the 

Amazons stared in amazement, Ranma faced off against the bear.

     The grizzly was estimated to be about 1000 pounds, compared 

to Ranma's 1300. It charged at him with uncanny speed. Ranma 

dogged the attack by sidestepping, then swiped at it with a paw. 

The blow connected, sending the beast back another ten feet. As 

the grizzly shook its head to clear it, Ranma crouched down low, 

readying himself for the next attack. At this time, he did not 

notice that his body was beginning to glow with a red light. The 

Amazons noticed it though and their eyes widened even further.

     The bear finally managed to compose itself and tried to lunge 

at the saber tooth again. The transformed martial artist also 

charged forward, while keeping low. He got below the bear's paws 

and head-butted it back toward the same tree, this time toppling it. 

As the tree feel backward, Ranma's aura began to glow even 

brighter. 

     The bear got up and roared at its opponent. Ranma returned the 

challenge with his own. He couldn't believe that the animal still 

wanted to fight! His aura became crimson as he eyes lit up with 

fury. Then they began glowing a solid red. With a sudden flare, his 

eyes released twin beams of searing heat that struck to bear. The 

grizzly howled in pain as a searing heat ripped through its body. In 

less than nanosecond, the bear had been reduced to smoking 

carcass.

     Ranma stared in shock over what he had done. He couldn't have 

believe what he had accomplished was even possible. The 

expressions of the Amazons also mirrored his. Realizing that now 

was not a good time to hang around, Ranma quickly swept up his 

kill and bolted out of sight. He left the bear behind, as he was not 

in the mood for barbecued meat.

     Shampoo and her friends were still stunned as they watched the 

giant tiger disappear from sight. The rumors had been true. For 

weeks, there had been reports of a giant tiger that had been 

roaming the forests. The purple-haired Amazon and her friends 

had been out hunting this beast, hoping to bring back a trophy. 

They were a bit skeptical to actually finding such a creature, but 

now that they had laid eyes on it, all doubts had been cast aside. 

The cat was not only real, but it had just saved Aloe's life and had 

displayed an unusual power. <Wait until Great-grandmother hears 

about this!> Shampoo thought as she went to join the others in 

tending to Aloe's injuries.

     Ranma sat in the cave and was deep in thought as he devoured 

his meal. <Just how did I do that?> As he ate, Ranma began 

replaying the events ever since he had been transformed. <Okay. 

Fact: I'm not afraid of cats anymore.> Ranma had encountered 

some tigers a couple of days ago and had not even felt the 

slightest bit of fear. He then recalled what Genma had told him 

about the Cat Fist.



Nine years ago

     "What is the Cat Fist?" A young Ranma asked.

     "The Cat Fist is a powerful chi technique that allows a martial 

artist to focus his inner energies to become as fast and as agile as 

a cat!" Genma explained as he wrapped his son in fish sausage.

     "Chi?"

     "Yes. Chi is the energy that is generated by all living things. A 

trained martial artist can focus his chi and use it to increase his 

speed, strength, and even strike from a distance without touching 

them! The Cat Fist is reputed to be one of the most powerful 

techniques that utilizes chi!"

     "So how does it work?"

     "Like this!" With these words, Genma shoved Ranma into the 

pit.



Present day

     Ranma shuddered at the memory. Although he hated his father 

for forcing him to undergo the training, he then realized that what 

he had done to the bear must have been some form of chi attack. 

<If that was the case, then I should be able to do it again. Let's 

see>

     Looking back at the remains of his dinner, Ranma stared at it 

for a long time, trying to cause it to catch fire. For a long time, he 

simply stared intensely at it. However, he couldn't even cause a 

single spark. Finally giving up, he lay himself down for a nap. 

Perhaps he could try again in the morning.

     The next day, Ranma had decided to forgo his usual morning 

run and sat in the cave meditating. He had often heard that 

meditation helped a martial artist gain focus over his inner 

energies. As he sat in silence, he began to feel a slight tingle that 

went through his body. Opening his eyes, he saw a slight red aura 

being emitted. He grinned. It was his battle aura. He had never 

been able to generate any of it as a human, but in his feline form, 

added to the Cat Fist training, must have been enough for him to 

harness some of his chi.

     <If that's the case, then> Ranma looked back at the bones of 

the boar he had eaten the previous night. He stared intently at the 

remains, imagining it as the bear he had fought. He concentrated. 

Harder and harder. But still nothing happened. He increased his 

concentration, and noticed that his battle aura began to increase its 

brightness. He then let off a roar as twin beams of hot chi energy 

blasted forth and charred the bones to ashes.

     Ranma looked in awe at what he had done. He had harnessed his 

chi.



One month later

     The saber-toothed tiger that was once Ranma Saotome was 

busy practicing stealth techniques as he moved deeper into the 

forest. Despite his size, he had learned how to move with nary a 

sound. This skill was especially useful in avoiding detection 

during his hunting excursions. Ever since his encounter with the 

Amazons, there had been many more hunting parties lurking about. 

Despite his mastery over his new chi technique, Ranma had 

decided not to fight these Amazons since they outnumbered him a 

hundred to one, and he had no intention of becoming a trophy. It 

seemed that longtooth necklaces, saber-toothed tiger rugs and 

tigerskin clothes had become all the rage. He had eavesdropped on 

several of the hunting groups and had become nauseous whenever 

he heard the women talk about using his innards for stew and 

various body parts for magic potions and talismans. On several 

occasions, he had been chased up and down the mountains and 

through the forests with hordes of fierce Amazons on his tail. 

Most of the hunting groups would return with various bruises and 

other injuries after failing to catch their elusive prey.



A fortnight after the first encounter in the Amazon village

     <"So Shampoo, did you get the tiger this time?"> Aloe 

snickered as she greeted her fellow warrior. Shampoo's hunting 

party was a sorry sight. They were badly bruised and their weapons 

were either bent out of shape or broken. Their clothes were 

tattered and nearly half of the Amazons were unable to stand on 

their own. Those who could stand were being used to lean against 

by those who couldn't. The most striking feature was that 

everyone was soaking wet.

     <"Shut up Aloe! We almost had it!">

     <"Sure you did."> Aloe said in a smug and sarcastic tone. 

<"Admit it! You came no closer to catching the beast than you did 

the last time!">

     <"That cat is not natural I tell you!"> Shampoo protested. <"I 

swear it doesn't act like a wild animal!">

     <"What makes you think so?">

     Shampoo and Aloe turned to see the elder Cologne approach 

them.

     <"Hello great-grandmother.">

     <"So tell me Shampoo, why do you think this tiger is different? 

I'll admit that long toothed cats are a rarity. Aside from what you 

told me about it that first time, it shouldn't be any different than a 

regular tiger.">

     <"Great-grandmother, that tiger is just too cunning by half! It 

keeps on avoiding Conditioner's best traps! It seems to know that 

our livestock is off-limits! Today was a really bad day! We 

thought we had it cornered near the mountainside near the 

waterfall, but it somehow outsmarted us! I don't know how, but it 

got away and">

     <"You and your party ended up taking a trip down the 

waterfall?"> Cologne finished.

     Shampoo's expression was dark as she nodded. <"I'm not sure, 

but I think that tiger was laughing at us!">



The present

     During this time, Ranma had also developed some new fighting 

moves, based on what he had remembered from reading from the 

Cat Fist manual. As a result, he had become even stronger and 

faster than before. He had also become tougher. On one encounter 

with the Amazons, he had been shot three times in the right flank 

at a distance of fifty yards. However, the arrows simply bounced 

off his hide with no damage whatsoever. 

     One night, as he was tearing into a deer, Ranma began to think 

back over what he had accomplished since his transformation. He 

had conquered his fear of cats, albeit by a drastic method. He had 

learned to control his chi. He was faster, stronger and possessed 

more power than he ever possibly dreamed of. He was free of 

Genma and had complete control over his life. He should be 

happy.

     He wasn't though. With the Amazons continually hunting him, 

he was reminded that they saw him as beast, and not as a human. 

He could never even think to get close to anyone again. That 

meant that he would never have a chance to see his mother. With a 

tired sigh, he decided to put those thoughts away as he finished 

eating his meal. After cleaning himself off, he decided to practice 

focusing his inner energies some more.

     On a whim, he decided to try something new. Focusing his chi 

inward instead outward, Ranma began to build up power within 

him, then redirect it into his body, rather than let it be emitted into 

his surroundings. This effect caused him to feel a slight dizziness. 

Shaking his head, he continued to build up power. The strain began 

to build. After another five minutes, the process became 

unbearable. His forehead was covered in sweat beads and he could 

feel his body temperature rise. After ten more minutes, he 

decided to end the experiment and tried to relax. That was when he 

discovered that he couldn't.

     The buildup of power continued, even though Ranma tried to 

consciously will the process to stop. The power within him began 

to swell and his body began to flare in pain. He let off a startled 

roar as his power level suddenly jumped dramatically. He 

desperately tried to regain his focus, but his body wouldn't listen. 

Finally, it was too much for him to handle and he passed out.

     Sometime later, Ranma came to with a splitting headache. 

Letting out a tired moan, he used his hands to prop himself up to a 

sitting position.

     <Hands?!> The martial artist looked down at himself and his 

eyes widened as he discovered that he had been returned to human 

form. Instead of black fur, claws and fangs, he had skin, fingers 

and normal teeth!

     "ALL RIGHT!!! I'M BACK!!!" Ranma cried out as he stood up. 

He promptly fell back down on his rear as his legs buckled under 

his weight. "Oof!"

     Ranma looked in confusion at his legs as he felt very little 

strength in them. <What's wrong with my legs? They don't feel 

right!> As he stared at his lower limbs, he noted that he was also 

wearing the same gi that he had on at Jusenkyo. He then tried 

another attempt to stand, but this too failed. After landing on his 

backside again, he let off a tired sigh and lay down on his back. As 

he stared at the cave's ceiling, he started to ponder his situation. 

After a moment, he came to a conclusion. <That must be it! I've 

spent almost two months as a cat. My legs aren't used to standing 

like a human again! I've running around on all fours for weeks! I'm 

also not used to having my center of gravity being so high! Guess 

I'm going to have to retrain myself to walk again! It's a small price, 

but the main thing is, I'm human again! Speaking of which, HOW 

did I change back?>

     <Hmmm let's see. I was focusing my chi and building it 

inside of me. Could that be the answer? With the chi growing in 

me, could it have somehow forced my transformation? Have I just 

stumbled on a way to control my changes? Do I have the power to 

change from tiger to human and back again? Is that the reason why 

hot and cold water doesn't affect me? Is my curse different from 

Pop's? Is that the reason why the spring I fell into exploded? 

Damn! I have so many questions and no answers!>

     Feeling too exhausted to ponder the new development any 

further, Ranma fell asleep.



Another month later

     Ranma walked down the forest trail in his human form. He 

paused to look back at the cave which had been his home for three 

months. Over the last four weeks, the son of Genma Saotome had 

discovered that he did indeed had the ability to control his 

transformations. During that time, he had practiced the technique 

until he could trigger the change almost instantaneously and with 

very little strain. It had almost become second nature to him.

     While he was learning this skill, he had also continued with his 

martial arts training. It was at that time he discovered his sudden 

increase in skill level and ability as a human. He noticed that he 

was at least six inches taller than before and had a lot more 

muscle. His strength was about twenty-five times higher than 

normal. His speed, agility and reflexes were also greater than 

before and he moved with amazing ease and grace, despite his 

increase in height and mass. His human senses of hearing, smell, 

touch and taste were about three to four times better than normal 

and he still possessed night vision and the ability to sense faint 

heat emanations. His sixth sense was also intact. Best of all, he 

now had full, conscious control of the Cat-Fist! He could now use 

his hands like claws to effortlessly slice through wood, stone and 

even metal! Best of all, the madness of the Neko Ken and his fear 

of cats was history! He could even fire off his chi blasts from his 

eyes as a human!

     It took a while, but the martial artist realized that somehow, the 

powers of his feline form were partially transferring over into his 

human body. As a result, he had taken on catlike traits. Although 

he only had about 40% of his overall feline ability in human form, 

he was still far more powerful than he ever dreamed possible.

     During the last two weeks, Ranma had set about developing new 

moves, based on what he had read in the Cat Fist manual and his 

experiences as a tiger. By the time he was ready to set out to 

rejoin the world, he had improved on the original Cat Fist and 

created several new techniques. In short, Ranma had become a 

true student of Neko Ken. He was no longer limited to the 

Anything Goes Martial Arts. The new Ultimate Neko Ken had 

more appeal.

     As Ranma traveled deeper into the woods, he pondered on what 

to do next. He had no money or supplies. His backpack had been 

left at Jusenkyo three months ago. Although he had decided to 

learn to speak Chinese, he was still lost in China and had nothing 

but the gi on his back.

     <I guess the most logical thing to do is to go find Pop! 

Question isdo I want to find him? He's an idiot and he'd 

probably put me through some more stupid training! Being able to 

use the Cat Fist is great, but I could have done without the stupid 

training! It was through sheer coincidence that I found a way to 

control it! Another thing is that I'd have to give up my freedom! 

He's too cheap to buy plane or boat tickets, so we'd probably have 

to swim back to Japan!> After a while, the fifteen-year old martial 

artist tried to think of any good points about his father. However 

for the life of him, he couldn't come up with anything that could 

even remotely be considered as a redeeming quality. 

     Genma had been a scheming, conniving, greedy, and 

opportunistic person. Sure he raised Ranma, but under his 

parenting, Ranma had become egotistical, arrogant and had very 

poor social skills. He had been isolated and alone for almost all 

his life with no one but Genma to talk to. His father had made him 

steal, lie and cheat, while maintaining that it was for the sake of 

the Art! Ranma had always questioned his mode of thinking. He 

knew it wasn't honorable to do these things. Then again, Genma 

had very little in the way of honor, other than he used it as an 

excuse to make him train.

     With a tired sigh, Ranma decided that despite all of his failings, 

Genma was still his father. As a dutiful son, he had to go find him. 

With that in mind, he set off to the place where it all began; 

Jusenkyo.



To be continued



Author's Notes.

     This rewrite is mostly just to clear up mistakes and gaps. 

People were wondering where the grizzly bear had come from, so 

I gave an explanation. I also expanded the encounters with the 

Amazons a little more.



