OK, first with the title.  I just made it up as I was posting
this.  It won't stay that way, hell, I don't even know how far I
should take this story.  Second - the content.  There are a couple
awkward parts, I know.  But I am food deprived right now and can't
think of anything better. =L (this would be me drooling =)).  And
third - feedback.  I'd like some.  Should I try and take it farther
or just leave it as some people's unpleasant dream?  C&C welcomed.


		Twisted Destiny (working title)

{insert ALL disclaimers and no stealing, hitting, or biting}
~~~~~~~~~
Just what the hell was Ranma's problem THIS time?  All she had
asked was if he wanted some hot water and he had freaked.  'Of
course I do, you stupid tomboy?  You think I like being a weak,
perv-magnet girl?  I don't want to be like you!'

That had hurt more than she could have possibly imagined.  The
insults were secondary to the fact that he had used them when she
was only offering to help him.  Certainly she was angry; who
wouldn't be?  But she didn't hit him or insult him, she just
couldn't make herself do it.  It had hurt just a little too much.

Holding back tears but unable to control the tremor in her voice,
Akane spoke with as much calm as she could muster.  "I'm sorry I
bothered to try and help.  Get your own damn water!"

With that spoken, she ran off, wanting to get as far away from
Ranma as possible.

***

The older man in tattered clothing picked up a stick.  It would be
good on the fire; the nights weren't getting any warmer with the
approach of winter.  He lifted the stick, surprised by its weight.
It wasn't simply a stick as he had first thought.

On closer inspection, the man could see intricate patterns carved
in the wood, very beautiful patterns.  One end looked like it had
been broken, or something had broken off.  At the opposite end was
a smooth handle, the curved grip seemed almost made for him.  He
marveled at the beauty of the 'stick' for a moment.

If nothing else, it would make a nice walking stick.  Spending
most of the day on his feet, a walking stick would be nice.

He walked to his accustomed spot under the bridge and sat down
against the stone.  Closing his eyes, he relaxed for a bit.  Even
though it was early afternoon, he thought of calling it a day.

He looked at the barrel a few feet away from him.  It was his
warmth at night, very important warmth.  He noticed that there was
no heat coming from it which meant the fire was out.  He stood up
quickly and peered inside the rusty barrel hoping to see any flame
at all.

Using the stick, he prodded the contents of the barrel, his spirit
beginning to fall.  Any sign of flame, a spark or ember would be
enough to get the fire going again.  Otherwise it would be
difficult to restart the fire; it would take one of his few
precious matches.  And more matches could not be acquired without
money, something he didn't have.

He was growing angry and frustrated.  Nothing EVER went his way,
he could never catch a break.  Bad luck was what got him in his
current position.  He jabbed the stick in the barrel, pushing the
contents down as far as he could.  Maybe a breath of oxygen would
reach a glowing ember and start something...  Anything.

He never noticed the stick thrumming with power in his hand,
responding to his anger and frustration.  As the stick responded
to his feelings, he responded to the stick; the two feeding off
each other until the stick had a bright blue aura and the man's
vision was red with rage.

It was then that he found the glowing ember.  While prodding
through the refuse in the barrel he had shifted the contents.  And
as the oxygen found the ember, the new flame found the gasoline
soaked rags that had been previously under some wet leaves.  The
rags burst into flames quite nicely, also setting off some rusty,
weakened aerosol cans.

The small chain reaction set a blast of fire directly into the
man's face and blew the barrel to bits.  The man, engulfed in
flames and shredded by hot, flying debris, never saw the stick
flare with a blinding light.

***

It was most assuredly a perfect day.  The sun shone brightly,
offsetting the cool air.  A soft breeze ruffled his hair in a
rather dashing manner he thought.  There were some things in life
that words could not do justice, so he settled on simply walking
and enjoying the weather.

***

People in Tokyo are used to seeing strange things, as are people
in most big cities.  But what looked to be a giant hammerhead
shark with tentacles and four eyes flying over the city was just a
bit too much.  So people did what the normally did in such a
situation: they ran through the streets screaming.  It never
seemed to do much good, but no one had ever come up with a better
plan.

The creature soared overhead, smashing buildings when they got in
the way.  It roared and growled; two sounds that shattered glass.
It swooped down, not far from the heads of the screaming people.
None of them were quite right though.

It made it's way out of downtown Tokyo and into the surrounding
areas.  Specifically towards Nerima.

***

Reports of a flying fish monster were spreading out from Tokyo in
all directions, most quickly and easily by television.  One of
those televisions happened to be in the Tendo home.  And Soun had
been watching it as the news report came on.

"Where's Akane?"  Soun was in hysterics, running around the house
with tears pouring from his eyes.  "Where's my daughter when
there's a vicious monster loose?"  He was hopeless.  As usual.

"Now, now Tendo.  I'm sure you have nothing to fear.  Ranma was
with her and can protect her from any monster no matter how..."
Genma looked at the TV and saw the video of the monster.  "No
matter how flying it may be."  Genma gamely patted Soun's
shoulder.

Soun's tears dried.  "You're right, Saotome.  The two will be..."

"Yo, Kasumi!  Can I get some water?"

"Of course, Ranma.  I have some ready now."  Kasumi walked out of
the kitchen to greet Ranma with a steaming kettle.

Genma and Soun were still frozen in position, Soun's mouth hanging
open.

"Thanks, Kasumi.  I needed that."  Ranma had returned to his more
natural male form.  "Yo, Pop," Ranma said, approaching the two
men.  "I still can't believe you engaged me to that uncute macho
chick."

With that said, Soun burst into fresh tears.

"Ranma!" Genma yelled.

"What, Pop?"

"You left your fiancee out there with that monster?!"

"Monster?  Pop, what are you talking about?"

Genma gestured wildly to the TV.  "That!"

Ranma watched with interest the latest news reports.

***

Akane walked down the street, her anger building, strengthened by
her sadness.  Damn that Ranma!  His stupid macho pride prevented
him from being civil.  She didn't expect him to be nice, but he
couldn't even be civil.  She growled and kicked a stone, imagining
it to be Ranma's head.

She walked past the shops, the stalls and carts, the restaurants
and cafes.  The walking seemed to relieve her anger somewhat, but
Ranma's last insult was the straw that broke the camel's back.
There hadn't been any call for it, but he just couldn't stop
himself from being a jerk.

***

"I'm just waiting for the two of them to break out into a fist
fight.  I know it's going to happen one of these days.  And when
it does, I'll have photos approximately an hour later."

The other girls giggled.  They had been having a good
gossip/business session in the small cafe, and just generally
having a nice time.  That was the thing most people didn't know
about Nabiki Tendo: you just had to get to know her.  Well, that
and don't ever put your own money into her hands.

"And look what we have shaping up here," her interest turning to
the huge window that gave a view of the entire street.  To one
extreme of her vision was Akane, and she looked upset.  To the
other extreme was Kuno, looking dense.  "We should see a little
action here..."

Little did they know...

***

"If it isn't the beauteous Akane Tendo.  The sun can hardly
compete with your beauty this glorious day."

Just what she needed.  If he touched her, he would find himself in
a world of hurt, even for Kuno.  "Leave me alone, Kuno.  I'm not
in the mood," she said angrily, preparing to march past him.

Kuno was quick with his declaration of love though, and he thrust
a bouquet of red roses in Akane's face.  "Of course, we may
proceed with our date later."  He moved to intercept her as she
tried to move around him.  "But for now, know that as the sun
rises and sets, so shall my love for you grow."

Akane had given up trying to go around him and stood with her arms
crossed.  She was annoyed, but not to the point of violence.  Kuno
seemed content to hand her flowers and babble, which was fine to a
point.  And he seemed to be wrapping up.

"And so, as the sand passes through the hourglass, now must I pass
you on my way to achieve a higher goal.  Though you must know that
I have no higher goal than to express my undying love for you."
He struck a heroic pose for Akane.

"Thank you, Kuno-sempai."  Akane stepped past Kuno and continued
walking down the street.

Kuno broke his pose and turned, befuddled, to watch Akane walk
away.  She was a true mystery to him, even greater than that of
the pig-tailed girl.  Akane's reactions to him were... unpredictable.  
Never could he be sure when she would react with violence or
understanding.  Her love for him was no doubt like the moon:
ever present, yet hidden.  He sighed.

He was about to continue on his business when the screams started
behind him.  He spun and froze in horror.  Closing in him,
dropping from the sky, was a great beast of unknown origin.  His
paralysis broke as a group of screaming pedestrians ran towards
him.

Kuno brought forth his bokken and held it in front of him, as if
it would protect him against the monster.  "Akane Tendo!  You must
flee, lest you be trampled like the delicate spring buds," he
shouted, hoping she could hear him.

Akane had heard the screams as well and was caught by fright.  She
couldn't take her eyes from the monster that was bearing down on
Kuno.  It was mottled gray, it's hide shimmering in the sunlight.
There were six suckered tentacles hanging from it's belly, casually
knocking things over.

The long, sleek body ended in a whip-like tail that thrashed back
and forth angrily.  The head, which was much wider than the body,
was flat, and at each end was an eye.  And next to each eye was
another eye.  Each of them rolled independently, taking in the
view of the street.

They seemed to focus on Kuno for a moment, then a black hole
filled with serrated spikes opened.  The head almost seemed to
split in half as a screech erupted forth, shattering windows.

It shook Akane from her fright as well.  "Kuno!  Run!" Akane
screamed.  She took two steps towards Kuno.  "Run!"

Nabiki and her friends had ducked under the table when the monster
had come into view and had avoided the flying glass as the window
broke.

Nabiki lifted her head upon hearing Akane's screams and was barely
able to contain her own cries.  Not more than 20 feet away stood
Kuno, covered in the shadow of the monster.

"Kuno-chan!  You moron!  Run!"

In response, his head turned slowly; Nabiki could see the calm on
it.

She could see the calm, she could hear Akane scream, she could
hear her won scream as Kuno was partially engulfed by the black
hole.  And then the black hole closed with a sickening crunch.
The haft of a snapped bokken flew past Nabiki's head and embedded
itself in the wall.

Time seemed to slow for Akane.  She watched the monster close it's
maw on the defenseless Kuno, who had his head turned.  The upper
half of Kuno's body disappeared, to be replaced by a fountain of
blood.  Horror washed over Akane as she watched half of Kuno's
bokken go flying.  She watched as one of his...  She fought back
the bile as she saw a bloody forearm drop to the ground.

Then time stopped and she felt something, a tickling, in her
stomach.  Not nausea, more like she had eaten something too spicy.
Her head started to pound and there was a ringing noise she could
hear from far away.  The blood pulsing through her temples seemed
to quicken and then the world went black.

Nabiki covered her mouth, her stomach revolting at the sight of
the blood.  She couldn't take her eyes off the carnage, couldn't
get the crunching sound out of her mind, to see her sister
engulfed in her familiar blue battle aura.  Nabiki's eyes widened
further as the beast opened it's mouth, one of the eyes focussed
on her, and released Kuno's body.

The husk that used to be Kuno hit the ground with a splat, sending
blood spattering everywhere.  And then, Nabiki did throw up, her
entire body shaking.  She would have nightmares about Kuno's
crushed and torn body laying in a puddle of blood; nightmares
about what used to be Kuno moving weakly.

Akane's aura had intensified, taken on a life of it's own.  It was
so powerful that Akane was actually floating.  Her eyes had rolled
back in her head and her mouth was hanging open.  For a moment,
her aura flared and a blaze of light shot from her forehead.  But
not just from her forehead; from an opening in her forehead, like
a third eye.

Akane's aura pulsed from blue to white as the eye opened fully.
The eye itself was rather plain looking, like an ordinary eye.
Ordinary, that is, save for the silvery glow it had and the beam
of light it was casting on Kuno's body.

At that point, something seperated itself from the young man's
destroyed body.  To the onlookers it appeared to be a silvery orb
floating in the air.  To those sensitive enough, the energy, the
life force within could be felt.  There was much more to the orb
than the ordinary eye could see.

The orb floated lazily to Akane, traveling along the beam of
silver light.  The monster had backed away with all four eyes
trained on Akane.  It made no move towards her and seemed to
actually be retreating.

The orb had reached Akane and, like smoke passing through
cheesecloth, went into her third eye.  With that done, the beast
flew off, high into the sky, and disappeared.

Akane's aura pulsed again, returning to blue, and her third eye
began to close, it's silvery light extinguished.  Fully closed,
the eye was invisible on Akane's forehead, and Akane's aura faded.
She floated back down to the ground where her body crumpled.

Nabiki scrambled out of the ruined cafe and pushed her way through
the small crowd around Akane.  She crouched by her sister and did
a cursory examination.  Thank goodness Akane was only unconscious
with no external injuries.  "Someone call an ambulance!" she
yelled.  There was no telling what kind of internal injuries might
be present though.

She kneeled protectively over Akane, unwilling to let anyone get
too close to her sister.  She shrugged off a hand on her shoulder
and shut out the murmuring.  The hand was on her shoulder again,
though; why wouldn't they just give her some room?  She turned
angrily, ready to share some harsh words with the insensitive
clod.  And froze.

"Nabiki Tendo, how fairs your rapturous sister?"

Nabiki's brain went on hiatus then.  "You're dead," came out of
her mouth without any effort by her.

"Why, I am as hale and hearty as the mighty oak."  Kuno peered at
her.  "It appears that you, however, have been robbed of precious
sleep.  Are you feeling well?"

Nabiki looked past what she thought was a hallucination to where
Kuno should have been splayed out.  There was a lot of blood and
half a bokken, but no Kuno.  "You're dead," she repeated, staring
at Kuno.  And he did seem to be healthy, ripped clothing aside.

Kuno felt suddenly self-conscious.  Why was Nabiki staring at him?
Why had she said that he was dead - twice?  He had never felt
healthier.  Even after that monster had...  He looked down at
himself, noting his tattered clothes.  Ah well, it must have been
a mere flesh wound.

End

And I'm still curious.  Does there need to be more?  I've labelled
this bit a teaser simply because I'm not sure how far to toss this.

-- 
Lara

o------------------------------------------------------------------o
| Danger!  Thrills!  Guns!  What more could a gamer want than Tomb |
| Raider?  In it, you play hacker dream date Lara Croft (packs     |
| heat, back flips, has improbable breasts), as she leaps, swims,  |
| and shoots her way through various lushly depicted exotic        |
| labyrinths.  There's not much brain-work required here -- just   |
| keyboarding -- but it's hard not to be entertained by Lara's     |
| derring-do.  You go, girl!                                       | 
|       --- Newsweek                                               |
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