Disclaimer:

All original characters of Ranma 1/2 are a copyright of Rumiko Takahashi, Shougakukan Inc, and Viz Communications, Kitty TV and Fuji TV. They are used in this story for entertainment purposes only.

Jiei is a Japanese term for bodyguard. The story is all about Ranma who is hired as a bodyguard to protect Akane who is an empress. Yes, this is written in a medieval setting. If you’re wondering if this is set in Japanese medieval times, it’s not, even though it has a Japanese title.

This is actually based on one of the stories from a book I have been writing on and off for the past three years. The story is still incomplete and unpublished until this day. When I picked up the manuscript a few weeks ago, I thought it might be fun to use the Ranma ½ cast. I have to warn you right now though. The characters here just might be OOC. Like I said, I do this all for fun. If you’re interested, then keep reading. If you’re not…well, you’re not.

Still here?

Okay then! ^_^

Without further delay, let’s proceed with the story.

The Emperor was coming.

For months, the Emperor and his wife had been on a journey, touring other kingdoms for good will and diplomacy. It would be the first time they will be arriving at the Sapphire Kingdom after so long, and their homecoming should be perfect.

Lady Akari was distraught, however. Since she received the telegram from the Emperor a few days ago, she had been busy preparing, planning, and supervising for his arrival.

That morning, word came by that the royal carriage had been seen at a nearby village a few miles down from the palace. Lady Akari emerged from her quarters and in the hall, she met one of the servants.

"Has the princess been informed yet?" She asked.

"Yes, Lady Akari, but…"

"But what? Is she ready yet?"

"We don’t know."

Akari’s eyes were startled. "You don’t know? Why not?"

"We can’t find her."

She took a deep breath, counting to ten. She already had a headache trying to prepare for his Majesty’s arrival, and the princess’s disappearance was not helping any. "Has anyone seen her?"

"One of the maids saw her with the Duke of Monaco."

Akari shut her eyes. Ryouga…oh no!

***

Tarou, the Captain of the Royal Guards, arrived in his horse at the palace grounds where he had ordered his men to assemble. However, as he rode up and down to inspect his men, he realized that something was very wrong.

He turned to his lieutenant. "Where’s the rest of the men?"

"They’ll be here, sir," he said.

"So will the emperor. He’ll be thoroughly disappointed to know that a quarter of his men are not here to greet him…and frankly so will I."

At that moment, Akari appeared from the inside of the castle. "Tarou!"

Tarou turned his head and maneuvered his horse to face her. "Lady Akari."

Trying to catch her breath, Akari explained, "Tarou, the princess is missing. She was last seen with the Duke of Monaco."

Tarou was surprised. "Ryouga Hibiki is here."

"Yes, I was told that he arrived this morning."

Tarou let out a tired sigh. "Oh no! Not again."

"What is it?" Akari asked.

"Some of my men are missing."

"You don’t think…"

"They are."

"Oh, no! Not when the arrival of the Emperor and the Empress is so near!"

"Calm down, Akari. I’ll find them."

"Please do."

Tarou nodded, and he left the palace on horseback in a break-necking speed.

***

A few miles away from the palace grounds were a vast, thick forest. The forest was useful to its inhabitants, providing food and shelter. For the royal guards, it was a place where they trained. And that’s where a quarter of Tarou’s men was found.

They were gathered around a platform, similar to a boxers’ ring. On the platform were two people dressed in armor, fighting a duel with swords. The men cheered and shouted at them.

The soldier, who was taking in the duel, looked at his opponent. Three words described his enemy. Sly, intelligent, and female. A very beautiful female. She had long, jet black hair and large brown eyes that looked at him with no mercy.

He swung his sword at her. Immediately, she countered his attack. Then she took advantage by continuing to battle him. The match ended finally when she knocked off his sword.

The soldiers cheered. She raised her arms into the air, acknowledging her win. Then she turned to her opponent.

"Good job."

The soldier bowed his head. "Thank you, Princess Akane. It was an honor to have a chance to spar with you."

They shook hands. The soldier got off the platform. Akane’s eyes sought for someone in the crowd. When she found him, she smiled.

"Duke of Monaco, let’s see what you got."

Ryouga Hibiki laughed and jumped up the platform to join her. "Okay, Akane. Just don’t be a sore loser when I beat you."

"Oh, ho! Shouldn’t that be the other way around?"

"Well, now, we’ll just see about that."

A deep voice called out, "No, we won’t."

Everyone turned and saw Tarou coming towards them. The soldier immediately stood at attention as their captain approached.

"Tarou, what are you doing here?" Akane asked.

"That should be a question I should be asking you, Princess. The emperor and the empress will be arriving soon or have you forgotten that?"

Akane gasped. "Oh, gosh! Is it that time already?"

"Yes, and now thanks to you my men will have to face consequences for not being present at this morning’s assembly."

Ryouga said, "Oh, come on, Tarou! Cut them some slack!"

"You aren’t their captain anymore, Ryouga. They shouldn’t be following your orders anymore."

Ryouga sighed. He had a point. Since he inherited his father’s title and estate after his death, Ryouga had to leave his job to his second in command. Secretly, though, he would rather be the Captain of the Royal Guards if the opportunity came up.

Akane got on her horse. "Oh, leave him alone, Tarou. We’re just having some fun. And don’t be too hard on the men. It was my idea to come up here in the first place."

Tarou, Akane, Ryouga, and the soldiers rode to the castle where Lady Akari was waiting for them.

"Oh, thank goodness you’re all back!" She exclaimed. "What happened?"

Tarou rolled his eyes and gestured his thumb at Akane and Ryouga. He left the three of them alone as his men followed him.

"Hey, Akari!" Akane smiled and waved at her.

As much as Akari was happy to see that she was safe, she couldn’t get rid the feeling of dismay when she saw the princess dressed in a soldier’s uniform covered with filth. "Princess Akane…you…you should have been ready."

As she and Ryouga got off their horses, Akane shrugged at her. "Then I’ll greet them like this. It’s too late to change anyway."

"Lady Akari." Ryouga greeted her as he bowed.

"Hello, Ryouga. How do you do?" Akari’s voice was meek.

"I am very well. Thank you."

"I…I had no idea that you came."

"I arrived this morning."

Akane tried to hide her smile as she watched the two with amusement. She knew very well of Akari’s attraction to Ryouga. She couldn’t tell how Ryouga felt, though, since he was always too shy around her.

"Ryouga, you should have said hello!" Akane exclaimed.

Ryouga snapped his head up to look at Akane. Akari saw this and turned red with embarrassment. I wish he would look at me like the way he would look at her.

A servant came and broke the news they had been waiting for.

The emperor and the empress had arrived.

***

Emperor Ono Tofu stepped down from his carriage. He then turned around and assisted his wife, Empress Kasumi.

Kasumi sighed happily as she gazed at the castle. "Oh, it’s a wonderful to be here again." She glanced at her husband. "But I will certainly miss this place when it’s time for us to leave again, Ono."

Tofu smiled and kissed her hand. "I know, dear, but I’m sure Akane will take care of it once we tell her the news."

"You’re right, and it will be nice if we could go back home…for good."

Arm in arm, the two walked into the castle. The soldiers stood at attention. As they reached inside, they saw Tarou.

"Captain."

He saluted at both of them. "Emperor Tofu. Empress Kasumi. Welcome back."

"Hello, Tarou. You look well."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Kasumi asked, "Where is my sister, Captain?"

"Here I am!" Akane called out as she ran up to them.

"Akane!"

The two sisters embraced. Then Kasumi drew away from her and touched her cheek. "Oh, I’ve missed you."

"So have I." Akane agreed.

Kasumi drew away from her and then frowned as she stared at her. "Akane…"

Akane glanced down at what she was wearing. "Sorry. I didn’t have time to change."

Kasumi’s facial expression didn’t change. "I thought we had talked about this."

Akane pretended not to hear her. "Emperor Tofu! Long time no see!"

Tofu smiled. "Akane…you still…look…the same when we last saw you."

She giggled. "I know."

Akari and Ryouga came to greet the Emperor and the Empress. It was a happy reunion for them. Akari suggested lunch after such a long journey for the two travelers. Tofu agreed and added that it would be a great opportunity for him to announce the good news.

***

Tofu, Kasumi, Akane, Akari, and Ryouga were at the dining room where a feast had been prepared for them. The Emperor talked mostly about their journey. Akane, however, barely listened. She was more interested about his announcement. Finally, when the chance came up, she asked him what the news was all about.

Tofu said, "Well, Akane, it’s about you."

"Me?" Akane was startled.

Kasumi wiped the corners of her mouth and spoke up. "Akane, as you know, you’re eighteenth birthday will be coming up."

Akane held up her hands. "If you’re planning to make it as a big affair where I have to stand and smile and greet every king, queen, or nobleman from every neighboring kingdom, you can forget it. I am not spending my birthday doing that."

"I’m afraid you will have to…especially when you will be crowned empress on that very day."

"Empress!" Akane exclaimed with shock.

Akari clapped her hands together. "Oh, Akane, how exciting!"

"But…but why?" Akane asked.

"As you know," explained Tofu, "when your father, Emperor Soun, died five years ago he left his kingdom to you. However, since you were still very young, he left in his will that this kingdom will be our protectorate under ours until you reach eighteen."

"But…but…"

"I know that this will be a very big responsibility, but you are his heir. And you must rule this kingdom."

"Yes." Kasumi nodded. "This is what Father wanted."

Akane said nothing.

The table was quiet until Ryouga said, "Well, I think it’s wonderful news." He raised his glass. "I’d like to make a toast."

While Akane reluctantly raised her glass, the other did so eagerly.

"To our new Empress!"

They drank to it.

***

After the meal, the Emperor and the Empress summoned Akane to the throne room. As the two sat in their thrones, the princess stood before them.

"So, what do you want to talk about now?" She asked. "Any more startling announcements I ought to know about?"

"Now, Akane, you know that you are bound to rule this kingdom someday," said Tofu.

"I never asked for it."

"Well, as long as we are in the subject of you becoming empress, " said Kasumi, "we would like to remind you again that we had forbidden you more than once not to take part in those spars the soldiers have. An armor is hardly an attire for an empress…or even for a princess."

"Would you rather that I wear my gowns then?" Akane crossed her arms.

"You’re missing the point," said Tofu. "Akane, you are a princess…a soon to be empress. Not a warrior. You must perform certain roles. Duties you are obligated to do."

"This is a duty! A duty for myself!" Akane jabbed her thumb to her chest. "My father died five years ago because some fool wanted to get rid of him. He knew how to fight, yes. But was he good enough to protect himself? No, because he died. Well, that’s not going to happen to me! I intend to fight for my life and win." She took a deep breath to calm down. Then she said, "Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to leave now."

When she left, Kasumi turned to her husband. "Ono, she has a point…but she’s still a princess. And even if she will learn how to protect herself, will she able to do so when the moment comes?"

"I know, Kasumi. I fear for her safety, too. Perhaps…we can do something about it."

***

Akane went straight up to her room to be alone. She stood at the balcony where she could see the whole kingdom below her.

All this will be mine. I knew I was going to take over my father’s place someday, but now that the moment is staring at me right in the face, I don’t know if I want this.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Akane told them to come in. Her visitor turned out to be Ryouga.

"Hi, Akane."

Akane smiled. "Ryouga, hello."

He joined her at the balcony. "I’m just here to say goodbye. I’m going home now."

"Be careful."

"I will."

"Thanks for visiting. I’m glad you came by. I really appreciate it."

"It’s no problem. You have improved by the way."

Akane gave him a wink. "Well, I had a good teacher."

Ryouga laughed. "Yeah, I guess."

Akane sighed and glanced down at the kingdom. "Isn’t it beautiful?"

He glanced at her. "Y-yeah. It sure is a breathtaking sight."

Akane smiled at him, and he felt sad. When will Akane ever look at him the way he wanted her to?

"That was quite a bomb they dropped on me today."

"Um…yeah."

"I mean I was expecting it, but geez, I’m still reeling with shock." She turned to him. "Ryouga, do you think I can do this?"

"Akane, you can do anything if you set your heart to it. Remember when you didn’t know how to fight? You didn’t think you could, but you did. You were so determined to learn. Besides, if there’s anyone who was more suited to rule this kingdom, it would be you."

"Because I’m the emperor’s daughter, right?"

"No, not just that. You’re kind. Intelligent. You have charisma. I’ve seen you with the servants and the soldiers. You really relate to them. They like you."

"Really?"

"Really."

Akane fell quiet and hesitated before speaking. "Well, I can’t do it alone." She looked at him. "Ryouga, I have a favor to ask of you."

I can’t do it alone. Her words repeated in his mind. Oh, Akane…what does this mean? Do you want me to rule beside you…as your husband?

"How would you like to be my advisor?"

Ryouga’s shoulders dropped. "What?"

"An advisor. Why? What were you thinking?"

"Ahahaha!" Ryouga scratched the back of his head as he blushed. "N-nothing, Akane. Nothing at all."

"You’d be great for this job. I’ve known you the longest, aside from Akari, that is. You’re my friend. And I trust you."

"Well, Ryouga, what do you say?"

Oh, how can I resist her? Oh, Akane. He took a deep breath. "Sure."

She let out a squeal and hugged him. "Oh, Ryouga, thank you! You don’t know how much this means to me!"

"Your welcome." He looked rather dazed from the hug Akane gave him. "Um…listen, I better go home."

"Oh! That’s right! I completely forgot! I didn’t mean to keep you."

"That’s alright. I’ll see you later."

After they exchanged good-byes, Ryouga turned and walked away, leaving her and her kingdom behind.

Author's Notes:
That does it for the first chapter. Hope you liked that. This isn’t all very serious like my first fanfic. I needed to get away from all that angst anyway.

Where’s Ranma? You ask. Well, he shows up in the next chapter. When will the next chapter be released? When it’s released.

If you're curious if there's going to be a lemon scene/version? No, definitely not.

And yes, Monaco is really a country. I just couldn’t think of a name so I used Monaco for no reason at all.

Comments are always welcome. Please no flames. If they happen to come by my way, they will automatically be eliminated by my handy-dandy fire extinguisher. Thank you for your time!

September 9, 2000