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Chapter Sixteen: Aftermath, First Stage-Nothing is Clear


    It was a few minutes when they first heard the hysterical screams.  Kuno and Kodachi, walking nearby, reacted to it immediately, readying for another combat--something a bit more physical.  Perhaps it would be just the thing to get the Black Rose back to normal, he felt, as the immediate aftermath of their encounter with Roland had left her a hurting, pained husk.
    But that pained husk was his sister, and the pain she was currently feeling was a cleansing pain.  Kuno had recently suffered that to a smaller degree with the admission that Akane would never be his; that Saotome would forever hold in thrall the enchanting Tendo woman.  Kuno simply had to console himself with the fact that he at least had the equally spectacular pig-tailed girl in his sights.  He then had an aberrant thought about someone else, a young woman his age with short brown hair, and calculating, intelligent eyes....
    Perhaps he should be thinking in tha--
    The screams got louder and more intense, simultaneously more coherent and more hysterical as they closed up the distance between themselves and the origin of the wailing.  Kodachi blinked, a sign that she was coming back to reality.  Kodachi turned her head and looked at her brother wordlessly, a child's look of sympathy on her face.
    "Yes, Dachi-chan?" he spoke, softly, more out of caution than concern, though that was omnipresent as well--he didn't trust Roland to be out of earshot under the circumstances.
    "We need to, ah, help that person," she said delicately, and not a little shyly.  "She, um, could use the assistance."  She blushed.  "Sorry to be so untoward, brother.  You are the elder one, after all, and should be making the decisions."
    Kuno fought back a look of surprise.  Was this now the Kodachi that everyone would have to endure from this point on?  Her fighting spirit was gone.  The Black Rose was wilted beyond repair, her thorns turned in until she tore herself apart.  If her remembered his psychology class correctly, she could potentially latch on to another personality and become that, a newborn soul searching for instant identity.  Kuno at point knew that this was a test for him: this was a chance to restore his nearly non-existent relationship with his sister.
    "Dachi-chan," he began, then paused in thought.  From the look on her face, Kodachi appeared to hinge her existence on her brother's every word.  "I trust your judgement, little sister."  He took her hand once more, then explained.  "Kodachi, we may have to fight someone in there, someone who could threaten us.  Can you fight?"
    Kodachi immediately snapped to a semblance of her old self.  Whipping out her ribbon, she laughed her banshee's cry and said, "Can I ever!"  She then sank back to her childlike state and added, "Of course, I'm not as good as you."
    He smiled.  "You're better than you know, Dachi-chan."  {A week or two ago,} he told himself, {I would never have admitted that.  Then again, a week or two ago, Kodachi hated me.  This will definitely take some getting used to.}  He unsheathed his katana.  "Let's go.  The vengeance of heaven decree that we shall be the instruments of justice."
    Kodachi gave him a vapid, innocent smile that he couldn't clearly decipher.

                            *   *   *

    Ukyo continued to scream her dirge of pain and misery, crying incoherently over her slain lover.  Her tears had run out, her voice was hoarse, and her consciousness was slipping.  She didn't care.  The world had been pulled out from under her, and there was nothing to live for.  She had failed her loving Konatsu.  She had failed her loving Ran-chan.  She had been defiled by that beast who deserved more than the death he got.  And as usual, all that was left was Ukyo.  Ukyo, the girl who never gave up.  Ukyo, who always survived and thrived, no matter what the circumstances were.
    Well, her luck--scant as it was--had just run out.  The last things in her life were now gone, and there was nothing left for her.  Everything to her was darkness, as deep and ebon as the patch she sang her dirge in.  Ukyo would no longer thrive.
    And as she began to reach for the Kenzan katana, she decided that Ukyo would no longer live.


    As fate would have it, though, a soft hand took hers away from the handle of the blade.  A soft, caring voice chimed in, musically, "Don't do that, Kuonji-san.  You have so much to live for."
    Ukyo looked up at the person near her side, and saw Kuno Kodachi.  Kodachi, the Black Rose, someone liable to pound her into the dirt.  She was smiling gently at Ukyo, and had a sympathetic look in her eyes.  If Ukyo wasn't so numbed at the time, she would have surely been frightened by the person who stood before her.  "Don't do it.  You dishonor your lover that way.  You'll also hurt Ranma, as well.  He loves you, you know--you're his best friend, and so very dear to him."  She took the blade and found the scabbard, resheathed it and slung it over her shoulder, promising she would return it to Ukyo as soon as they got out of here.  She then noticed Ukyo's state of undress and turned to her brother, asking to get his shirt from him.
    Kuno wordlessly replied, taking off his shirt and idly tossing it in Kodachi's direction.  His attention was elsewhere, anyway; he was staring at the body that was the ninja and trying to get a picture of what had occurred here.  In the slight edge of his vision, he could see a burnt and perforated corpse, probably the man that Kenzan defeated at the cost of his life.  He had sacrificed himself to save the woman he loved--that was not the code of ninjitsu, but that of the honor of the samurai.  The man deserved a far better grave than this place.  He moved to slowly pick up the body of the hero before him...
...and was pounced upon by a raging, snarling Ukyo.  *"STAY AWAY FROM HIM!!!!!!!!  STAY AWAY!!!!!!"*
    

    Kodachi, however, moved as fast as lighting.  She caught Ukyo's wrist before he could telegraph a punch towards Kuno's face.  She spun Ukyo around and told her calmly, "Kuonji-san...Ukyo...we're here to help you.  We're your friends.  Oniisan was simply helping you to take your loved one away from here, Ukyo.  Please believe us."
    The neophyte ninja's words instantly deflated Ukyo's rage.  Ukyo once more began to cry unhindered, and slipped into Kodachi's arms sobbing morosely and uncontrollably.  Kodachi looked at the girl with a pained look, her gaze wishing that she could take away the pain from the woman that was once one of her greatest rivals.  She held the woman, even as her elder brother began to pick up the corpse, bearing the fallen hero away to a safer location that would better suit his final act of love for Kuonji Ukyo.
    Ukyo continued to soak Kodachi's tunic with her tears, murmuring softly, "I wish my Ran-chan were here.  He'd make it better.  He always does."
    Kodachi couldn't help but feel the pain that the younger woman was feeling.  Responding softly to her cries of grief, Kodachi answered truthfully, "I wish Ranma-sama was here, too, if only to ease your pain, Kuonji-san."  Easing the girl to her feet, Kodachi took Ukyo's hand, saying to her bereaved associate, "Let's go find him.  He'll be able to help you.  I know he will."  Ukyo, too numb and distraught in her loss, hadn't noticed who she had been talking to, nor had she paused on the changes that had suddenly occurred with the Black Rose.  Ukyo simply saw someone who was willing to help her and reached for the lifeline before she went mad-especially when that lifeline promised to lead her to the only other person who could help her, the only other man she'd ever loved...
...a man who, if she'd --or any of them-had thought about it, had no clue if he was still even alive.


    From the distance, watching his sister tend to her charge, a lighter air breezed over the heart of Kuno Tatewaki.  For the first time in years, he was witnessing a new dawn for the Black Rose, a dawn in which the twisted sister was no longer such that, but instead someone he could grow proud of.  A new day had dawned for the Kuno family, or at least its two youngest scions, and it seemed that with a little luck, Tatewaki's generation of Kunos might not be so ill-starred as he once had thought.
    With a little luck, the children that he would someday have with the pigtailed girl, would be much better, much more capable than its predecessors.  Maybe a little more mercenary, perhaps, but that would probably be due to Nabiki's influence on their children and-
    {Nabiki?  Where on earth did that idea come from?}  Kuno furrowed his brow, then smiled.  Perhaps something in the back of his mind was trying to tell him something...and perhaps he would actually be best off to listen.  In any event, however, he still had the pigtailed goddess to deal with, and he would have to see how that situation developed before he would even think of Nabiki in a different light other than just being his friend.  He tried the asinine route once, and it didn't suit him; to try it again was pure madness, more than he would expect in the normal course of his life.
    Kuno picked up the slain body of the ninja, taking care not to disturb its repose any more than he had to.  This man was a hero, and he'd paid with the ultimate price; Kuno doubted that any of the Kaguros would have the tiniest scrap of nobility in them to give their lives for such a truly noble cause such as love-that was a Kuno concept, and no Kuno would have found themselves in such a situation.  Perhaps that was why this gentleman was capable of going beyond that which was his initial training of ninjitsu; it appeared that the heart of Kenzan Konatsu, was as noble as any samurai.
    Kuno vowed that upon return to Nerima, that Kenzan would receive a fitting burial, as befitted the man's nobility.  Kuno could-and would-do no less.  With a grunt, he motioned for the other two to follow him, and as Kodachi helped Ukyo to her feet and slipped the shirt around her upper body, the three began their trek back to the outside and to the uncertainty that lay without.

                            *   *   *

    Kurumi walked at Kaori's right flank, watching the other girl's every move.  Kurumi was hoping that the young woman wouldn't do something rash; this was a contradiction, seeing as how Kurumi also wished that she would do something--*anything.*  The other woman simply walked, quietly and calmly, obviously in control of her motor skills, but kami only knew about her current mental state.  There was simply blankness in her eyes, and considering what she had just been through, the youngest Tendo could only hope to sympathize.  However, there was also a dark undertone to the woman's silence, and that was what bothered Kurumi.
    Kurumi craned her neck forward, then faced her associate.  "Personally, I'm kinda worried.  What do you think?"
    Azusa responded back.  "Honestly, I don't know what to think, Kurumi.  I've never seen anything like it.  Nothing at all."  She paused in sorrowful thought, then added, "And I hope I never will."


    Slightly behind them for Kaori's sake, Ryoga and Mikado continued to heft the shattered remains of Shinnosuke, flanked by a watchful Shiva, ready to attack at the slightest provocation of a member of the Crystal Temple's militia.  When the two groups met, Shiva was absolutely awed with wonder in regards to the number of people that cared enough about her brother to attempt to rescue him at the cost of their own lives.  It seemed that one had already paid the ultimate price, and that there might be more, were they not careful.
Shiva swore that she would never allow them to come to harm so long as she drew breath.  These were her brother's friends and family, someone her sister would love to reacquaint herself to.  These people would therefore be the ones that would also contribute to her cycle of friends, and thus, she had an obligation to take care of them as they were trying to take care of her brother.
    She would not let them down.


    From her point in the middle, Kurumi called out, "Shiva, how much farther until the exit?"
    "Not sure," she returned.  "Normally, it would take about a couple of minutes.  But with the Temple demolished the way it is...."  A definite truth there; yesterday it had looked like a paradise, while today it looked as though World War 3000 had moved in.  Considering the relative power level of the combatants involved, perhaps that wasn't entirely far from the truth.  "Perhaps about another half hour to find a location safe enough to pass through."
    "Couldn't you just make a door with the Ascending Dragon?"
    "Could...if you'd prefer to have the structure fall on your head on the way out.  Me personally, I'm not willing to risk family and friends in a manner like that.  My brother'd kill me."
    As an aside, Azusa caught that and said, "By the way, who's she?"
    "Believe me, Azusa, it'd take way too long to explain.  The short version is that her name is Shiva.  Saotome Shiva."
    "As in...?"  The look on Azusa's face was incredulous, and worth the proverbial thousand words.
    "'Course.  Who else could it've been?"  Kurumi flashed a grin at her friend.  "You know Ranma.  Makes friends instantly, and the effect he has on women...."  The youngest Tendo giggled slightly; no less than three of the Tendo daughters had made proprietary claims on him at one time or another, thereby making life at the very least extremely interesting at an already interesting place.  "Of course," she added, "I'd like to see what he has up his sleeve next."
    "Wait'll they find out about onnesama," Shiva spoke aloud, though clearly to herself.
    "What was that, Shiva?" Kurumi inquired.
    "Oh, nothing."  Shiva gazed around and looked, then saw something.  "Looks like we've hit the lucky strike," she said, pointing to a fairly undamaged side entry to the great palace.  "C'mon, guys, let's go.  I got family to meet."  With that, she began to move to towards the door, skipping merrily along, her cares momentarily forgotten.


    "C'mon, Sanzenin, we're almost there.  Quit your whining and give me a hand!"  Ryoga's patience was almost completely eroded by Mikado's antics.  "Pull your share of the weight, wouldja?"
    "Shut your mouth, Hibiki!" Mikado retorted.  Oh, did he ever feel like popping the other man in the face.  However, that would easily get his cousin pissed at him...and seeing how marvelous that her new skills had turned out, he didn't want to be on the receiving end of them.  Still, that didn't mean that he had to put up with this baka's comments if he could help it.  "Listen, Hibiki.  I don't see why this corpse is so damn important to you.  It's extra weight.  Why don't we just le-"
    "How can you be so callous, you bastard."  Ryoga was using every iota of his willpower to rein in his anger and prevent him from killing the offending insect in front of him; there had been more than enough death today.  "Shinnosuke was Akane's childhood friend, and a friend of mine as well.  That bereaved girl in front of us was to marry him in four months.  He died trying to save Ranma, and protecting his fianc�e.  He didn't have the skills necessary to fight in this conflict, but he had more than enough heart.  And if you think I'm going to stand here for one minute more and let you smear the good name of this man, you're dead wrong.  Get this straight, Sanzenin: you and I *will* have words over this subject later, I promise you."  Ryoga glared at him with a look that burned brighter than the torch that was his own fianc�e's namesake.
    Mikado for his own part, merely yawned.  "I'm not impressed by you, Tendo, or Saotome.  However, as you may believe it or not, I'm not unsympathetic towards the girl's-" he hooked his head towards Kaori,  "-feelings.  I just think that under the circumstances, we'd need to cut our losses and try to return to the outdoors before we're caught by another band of fighters.  Besides, the lovely lady will need some comforting, later, and-"
    "You're as bad as Kuno," Ryoga spat.  "No, I take that back.  Kuno ain't even that bad.  You're in a class all by yourself, you sick monkey."
    "Thank you," Mikado replied sarcastically.  "It is always good to know I have devoted fans of my work."
    The pair shut up at that point and said no more as they made their way into towards the exit that Shiva was leading them to.

                            *   *   *

    "Wo ai ne."  Mai kissed her husband with all the love she held in her spectral heart.
    Natsumi immediately backed out of the kiss, shouting, "Cut it out, wouldja?!?!"
    "I love my wode airen!  I'll always stay with you, Natsumi!"  Mai was clamped firmly onto Natsumi, with her slender ghostly arms around Natsumi's middle.  "I'm so happy!" she announced to the world.
    Natsumi, on the other hand, was not at all pleased about the situation.  "Mai, let go of me, for cryin' out loud!  I'm trying to get medical help!"  She turned to the person tending to her wounds.  "Nabiki, get this twit off of me!"
    Nabiki had to really restrain herself from laughing hysterically.  After the death and destruction she had just been witness to, a little dose of Natsumi's omnipresent bad luck cheered her up immensely.  "Now, sis, don't expect me to meddle in your marital affairs.  I'm not Kasumi, you know.  However...."
    "Fine.  Put it on my tab," Natsumi grumbled.
    That was Nabiki's cue.  "Mai, can you give me a hand here?  I need something from the first aid kit."
    "Okay!"  Mai detached herself from Natsumi, promising, "I'll come back to you, my loving husband, as soon as possible."  She then bounded over to Nabiki's side and said, "How can I help my Big Sister?"
    "That's 'Nabiki', Mai--I've never been the titles type.  Listen, I need a second kit from the equipment over there."  She pointed to where Mist, Genma, and John were conversing.  "Can you do that?"
    "Okay, I'll go get the kit so my Big Sister can help airen."  With that, Mai applied a quick hug and kiss on the cheek to Nabiki, then scampered off on her mission.
    Nabiki blushed slightly, lightly brushing the spot where she'd just been kissed, running her fingers over the spot.  "You know, sis, I don't see why you're complaining.  She *is* sweet, and awfully cute...."
    Natsumi grumbled.  "Well, why don't *you* marry her?  She's *your* type, and I prefer men."
    Nabiki sighed.  "Look.  I envy you, Natsumi.  I've only had one person in my life that I loved, and he left me because I was an ice princess.  Kinnosuke left me because I wouldn't consider marrying him, and because I wasn't responding to his needs.  I ruined my one shot at happiness."  Nabiki realized what she was saying and clamed up immediately.  She then stared long and hard at Natsumi.  She's just let one of her most intimate secrets out of the bag, something she couldn't even tell Kasumi or Ranma.
    Fortunately, Natsumi and Nabiki always got along fairly well.  "You know, onnechan, I don't think anyone's ever know about how you really felt about him."
    "And I'd like to keep it that way.  My mistakes are my own business."  Natsumi nodded her solemn promise, and Nabiki continued, unfazed.  "What I do know is that you have a chance at a wonderful relationship, something I'll never have because of my reputation-"
    "Well, what about Kuno?"  Natsumi asked, a trace of impishness creeping into her words.
    In the distance the Tendo sisters heard Mai call out, *"Hey, what's a kit?  Some kind of baby cat?"*  Fortunately Nabiki didn't answer, as someone took the time to assist Mai in her task.  
    Turning back to Natsumi, Nabiki said, "Tatewaki and I are just friends.  Nothing more," she replied, with the barest tone of what distantly sounded like regret.  "Besides, you're changing the subject.  Mai loves you.  *Really* loves you, and not because of some kind of magic geas placed on her.  I think this was really love at first sight."  She finished wrapping the gauze around Natsumi's arm, then sat down next to her.  "Listen, don't make the same mistakes I have, Natsumi.  My attitude has cost me two wonderful relationships.  Your own survival skills and emotional stoicism may cost you yours.  I know that's what you were used to when you and Kurumi were on the road, but things are different, now.  Don't let love pass you by because you want Ranma."
    Now it was Natsumi's turn to be shocked.  "H-How-"
    "Natsu-chan, I'm your older sister.  I'm also supposed to be observant.  But, since you can keep my secret, I can keep yours, and I won't lecture you on the futility of taking him from Akane.  What I *am* saying is, don't let Mai end up like Ukyo, Shampoo, or Kodachi--just holding on to an unrequited love.  She loves you and is entirely devoted to you.  Give her a chance."
    Natsumi's countenance grew thoughtful.  "I can't promise anything, Nabiki, but I'll try.  Likewise, though, you have to promise me one thing."
    "And that is?"
    "I get to be the maid of honor at you and Kuno's wedding."
   Nabiki playfully tagged her sister on the shoulder.  "Me and Tatewaki getting married?  Figure the odds, Natsu-chan.  Besides, he's in love with Ranma's female side, remember?"
    "Look, he gave up Akane, so anything's possible."
    Nabiki was about to add something to that when Mai returned.  She gave Nabiki the kit, then sat down next to her mate and resumed her glomp, chirping, "I missed you, my loving husband!  Did you miss your faithful wife?"
    "Um, er, yeah.  I missed you, Mai."  She turned Mai's face to match hers, then said, "I really appreciate all you've done for me, Mai.  Arigato."  Natsumi then planted a chaste kiss on Mai's forehead.
    Mai's eyes began to well with tears, though she still didn't have the ability to cry.  The look on her face was one of complete joy.
    Natsumi noticed the look on Mai's face and thought she'd done something wrong to the girl. "What's wrong, Mai?"
    "Nothing's wrong, Natsumi."  If Mai could've shed tears at that moment, she would have.  "I'm just so fortunate to have the best husband in the whole world."  She leaned up to Natsumi and put her head in her lap, looking up at the taller girl with a look of pure adoration and love.  "I have my wode airen and will always stay with my loving husband."
    Natsumi looked down at the girl, returning her gaze.  If there wasn't love in Natsumi's eyes, there was at least understanding.  She then turned to Nabiki.  "Thank you, onnechan.  I really appreciate it."
    "Of course, Natsu-chan.  Now, I'll leave you two alone so you can get to know each other a little better."  Nabiki got up and left the couple to their own devices, trying to drive away the envy she felt in her heart and the sorrow that she might never find a person of her own to love.  


    Mist watched her pupil from a distance, and a small light of joy entered her dark eyes.  Perhaps this would be something that would set the other girl on the road to healing the scars within.  Mist certainly hoped so; Natsumi meant more to her than just a simple student.  In any event, thought, she was a bit surprised to see Natsumi with someone of her own gender; from what she'd heard, it was the other Tendo girl-Nabiki-who had the preferences in that direction.  {Oh, well, in the final equation, it's none of my business, anyway.}
    She turned to the other two adults seated in conversation-John was using a small broadcasting unit to request pickup; Saotome-san was sitting and looking at the blasted landscape with a bleak look on his face that couldn't easily be described.  Neither Ling-Ling nor Lung-Lung could be seen in the area; they'd volunteered to go hunting after any improbable survivors of Mist's last attack.  Tendo Nabiki was slowly making her way back to where Mist and her team had set up the waiting point-waiting for evacuation, but more importantly, waiting to see if Tendo Akane had succeeded in her mission...or was even still alive.  Or, for that matter, any of the rest of Akane's assault team.
    For the umpteenth time, Mist cursed herself.  {Damn!  I know there was no other alternative, but I should've entered the Temple itself and began the conflict to save Tendo's fianc�.  In this case, then I wouldn't have to sit around and wait to see if anyone survived.}  Mist sat around for a second more before making up her mind; she'd do it.  Standing up and putting the item on remote, she looked towards Twinmoon.
    Without looking up, he said, "Don't even ask.  I'm setting this thing for automatic, and you and me'll go in and check out the survival chances of the others."  Mist didn't answer, so he clarified.  "I knew that's what you'd be asking me.  You're a commander of troops, and you have that commander's worry.  It's the bane of leadership, Mist.  Besides, I like those kids.  They've got a lot more spunk than I give 'em credit for."
    "Well, Natsumi survived the battle...and thrived, so it seems," Mist commented.  "Perhaps the others did the same."
   "Let's hope so."  He twiddled a few more dials, then looked up at her, speaking only the words, "I'm ready.  Let's roll."  He paused only to pick his short sword off the floor, then stood up next to the Master Shinobi of the Ghost Wolf clan, and smiled.  "Let us sally forth, milady."


    Nabiki reached them just in time to say, "Don't take off just yet!  Look!"  She pointed towards the direction of the ruined fa�ade of the building's entryway.  The heads of all three snapped to see the Kunos bring their charges out of the ruined facility.  From the way Kodachi was ushering a beaten, disheveled Ukyo, and the way Kuno held Konatsu, it was clear as to what had happened.  They also looked into the eyes of the Kunos and saw a glimpse of the vision of hell that they'd been through.  This was further exacerbated by the subdued, pained manner that Kodachi was acting.
    Then Nabiki looked more closely at Ukyo.  All else was forgotten at that point.  Ukyo looked like she'd been through hell, and was the very embodiment of the term "emotional wreck".  The fact that Tatewaki was carrying Konatsu was a testament to the way that he was willing to honor the fallen ninja; it had meant that Konatsu had given his life to save Ukyo.  Furthermore, it was also apparent that Ukyo was now about to slide worse into the bowels of hell.  Nabiki wouldn't allow that.  Ukyo was Ranma's best friend, possibly the only other girl in the world that he would admit to loving.  Since neither Akane nor Ranma was here to help her, it fell on Nabiki to do so.
    She turned her head, and noticed Genma staring at her.  Genma looked with a burst view on his face, as if he suddenly realized that in a small way, he had contributed to the destruction of the girl before him.  The look on his face could have been described as priceless.  Worse, it could have been described as helpless.  There was nothing he could-or possibly, *would*-do for the girl who at one time could have been his daughter-in-law.
    Nabiki went over to Ukyo.  Looking into the girl's reddened, tear-tracked face, she said, "Ranma will be here soon for you, Ukyo.  I promise.  {I'm also making a promise that I can't keep,} she mentally admitted, {and I hope you'll believe me enough not to call me on my bluff.}
    Ukyo immediately vice-gripped Nabiki to her, sobbing, "I want my Ran-chan.  I need him."  She said this not with the tone of a person who was in love, or who felt the rush of desire when his name was mentioned, but the empty tones of someone who searched for the one thing left to her in life, for the one thing in this world that made anything worth living.  Her truest friend, her *only* fianc�, now.  The only thing left to her.
    Nabiki looked at Kodachi, hoping against hope that the Black Rose would be able to provide an answer to what was going on.  The rug was pulled out from under her when she realized that not only had the Black Rose been unable to provide those clues, but had been through her own brand of hell.  "What happened, Kodachi?"
    Nabiki's question only opened up more in the mind of the Black Rose.  "I don't know, Tendo-san," she replied, in a tight, controlled voice, "but I wish I'd been there to help her.  I wish Ranma had been there to help her."  Kodachi turned her head away in shame and failure before she revealed too much.  "Take care of her, Nabiki.  She was suicidal when we found her, and I don't know if that sensation's gone away yet."
    {Kodachi, concerned about one of her rivals?  Kodachi is being nice?  Dear sweet kami-sama, what happened to you and Tatewaki-kun?}  "Hey Kodachi," Nabiki commented, moving one of her arms away from Ukyo to place it on the shoulder of the female Kuno, "are you okay?  You alright?"
    Further adding to her discomfort, Kodachi turned again to face her, tears streaming down her face.  She shook her head, trying to dispel some kind of hellish notion from her mind, and rasped, "No Nabiki.  I'm *not* alright.  I don't know if I'll *ever* be alright again.  Or if any of us will."  She sniffed once, then turned away and began to cry softly on her brother's shoulder.
    "Tatewaki...."  Nabiki began.
    "No, Nabiki.  Not now.  Please."  He didn't look so hot either as he gently set the body of Kenzan Konatsu on the ground.  "If our friendship means anything to you, don't ask until I tell you."  He then took his sister and walked away, leaving Nabiki with Ukyo and the body of Konatsu.
    Never before had Nabiki felt so helpless.

                           *   *   *

    About half an hour later, Shampoo was the next to emerge.  The group was solemn and silent, with Ukyo having been heavily sedated, the Kunos sitting to one corner and trying to stay away from everyone else, the ninjas and Genma were still attempting to contact their pickup contact, Nabiki was still trying to teach Mai about her new family...especially the pronunciation of their names, and the twins were volunteering to stand honor guard over Konatsu's fallen body.
    Shampoo called out, "Someone to help Shampoo!  Mousse injured, need healing!"  Nabiki, having appointed herself nurse, got up and took a look at Mousse's injuries.  She knew very little other than the first aid that Tofu insisted the family all know-and from what she did know, it looked like a small miracle that the Chinese man was still amongst the living.  Still she had the Chinese Amazon lay her charge down on the floor, while Nabiki removed whatever was left of his top and tried to do mass bandaging and pressure points.  She'd do the best that she could, but if they didn't get him to some advanced medical treatment soon, Mousse would be joining Konatsu in the great beyond.
    As for Shampoo, Nabiki noticed something different in the Amazon's eyes as well.  Whatever it was, she pretty much guessed that it wouldn't be entirely too much on the positive side, and that, no, she probably didn't want to talk about it.  The twins noticed this as well, and left their "big sister" alone as she sat next to the fading Mousse.
    "Shan Fu," Mousse moaned in pain, "don't leave me.  I love you.  Let my last living moments at least be of your beautiful face, my love."
    "Stop that!" she replied, her eyes smoldering with a mixture of worry and consternation.  "You're not going to die, Mousse.  Period.  I wish you'd stop that.  
    "Shampoo," Nabiki said, grabbing her hands and thrusting them on to Mousse's chest, "I need you to apply pressure *here.*  That's where the wound is the worst, so if we stop the bleeding from this point, then we may have a fighting chance."
    "Shampoo not in mood to fight," the Amazon replied to Nabiki in Japanese.  "Shampoo just so sick of it all.  Shampoo hate this all."  She did, however, begin to apply gentle pressure in an attempt to stop the slow but steady flow of blood leaving Mousse's body.  As she did her part, Nabiki attended to the rest of the wounds over the young man's body.
     A few minutes passed, and tension built in the two women as they preformed medical care on a scale that Nabiki wasn't used to, nor had knowledge of; Shampoo wasn't versed with the Arts of Healing, either.  Finally, Mist came over and assisted them in a few matters that Nabiki would've made worse if left to her own devices.
    As Mist placed the last splint on Mousse's leg, she got up and walked away, a smile in her eyes that she'd been able to perform a world of good for the healing man before her.  It made up the balance for the scars upon her soul that she'd created as she'd taken lives; it also had the benefit of allowing her to use skills other than that of the killing Arts.
    Nabiki and Shampoo watched the shinobi with a profound sense of surprise.  They had not expected the master of such arts to know that of the healing arts, as well.  Shampoo had watched the older woman's handiwork, then smiled happily as Mist announced that Mousse "will live; just ensure that he does not go through any strenuous activity.  I'm not a doctor, and so the care I've given him may not suffice entirely."
    Shampoo was solemn in her words.  "Shampoo thank you.  Shampoo not forget masterful skill of Mist."  She bowed formally, with Mist returning the honor.  She then looked at Mousse with a highlight in her eye that told him that she was glad he was okay, though she might not admit the fact aloud.  She sat down by him, just glad to see that he would make it.  Softly brushing a strand or two out of his eyes, she looked at him and glibly commented, "So Shampoo stuck with stupid Mousse again.  Seem there no justice in world for Shampoo."
    Mousse turned away from her, fighting back the melancholy sigh that he so desperately wanted to release.  {All that I went though, and she still spurns me.  Maybe I should get a clue: she may not feel about me as I hoped.}  He looked into the distance, seeing the twins, the Amazons.  A world he was no longer a part of.  {Perhaps, it's for the best this way.  She belongs in the world of Joketsuzo--}
    Shampoo, watching him out of the corner of eye, noticed that he was moving.  She stopped him, turned him flat on his back, then leaned over him and smiled sweetly as she commented in Chinese, "Look.  I said it seems that there's no justice in the world when I'm stuck with you.  I don't recall saying it bothered me."
    "But you always say--"
    "Muu Tsu, you can be *soooo* stupid sometimes!  Since when have you ever listened to me in that regard?" she replied, a trace of humor coming to her dazzling smile.
    "Since the day I first laid eyes on you, my jewel amongst the Amazons."
    "There you go again, stupid Muu Tsu."  She held firm in her poise as she admitted the truth.  "Who says I'm an Amazon?"  She stared at him for a few minutes until what she said sank through to him.
    His heart skipped a double-space--Shampoo had just about given up virtually her entire life and claim on Ranma just to make him smile.  He nodded as much as he could, then stated, "Whatever you say, Shan Fu."  His smile began to beam as well as she gazed on the face of the woman he loved.
    
     
    Nabiki stared at Mist, who turned away from her patient...and the rest of them.  "You know," Nabiki commented, "that's some skill you have.  I didn't think that such a person like you would have any kind of faculty for mending.  I only thought you had a talent for breaking.  I didn't mean that as an offense, "she clarified, "but I just--"
    "It is an old talent I have," Mist said as she cut Nabiki off, though not harshly.  In truth, the younger girl noticed an undertone of melancholy in the shinobi's musings.  "There was once when I'd hoped to be a doctor, but those dreams have all fallen by the wayside.  The world needs me as I am more than as I want to be."
    "I've been meaning to ask that," Nabiki remarked.  "You obviously dislike what you do best.  That's a paradox and a half.  Why do you continue to do it, then?"
    Mist smiled in her eyes for the merest hint for a second, then made a dismissive gesture.  "Let us forget about the past, shall we?  There is nothing that can be done to reconcile with it, and it unfortunately must stay that way.  The best that I can hope for is to move on and ensure that no one gets caught in the crossfire."  Mist got back to her feet, then turned once more to Nabiki.  "You have something in you, Tendo-san, that surfaces only when people need it.  I've seen it come out more and more each day.  Nurture that talent, and it will not fail you.  Combine it with your intelligence and your shrewdness, and it will win you true treasures...and I don't mean the type of monetary value."
    Nabiki actually blushed.  "Thank you, but I'm afraid that the credit for that actually goes to my older sister, Kasumi.  I guess she's rubbed off on me a lot more than I thought."
    "She must be a nice person," Mist mused.
    "She is.  I don't tell her this much--and I'll have to correct that when I get back--but I love her dearly.  She means a lot to me, and I don't think I could ever ask for a better older sister.  I wish I could tell her now."
    Mist did that odd facial expression again.  "I'm sure that she knows, Tendo-san.  Just make sure you tell her that when you see her again."
    "I will."  Nabiki paused before adding, "Arigato, Mist-san.  You've been a grand help."
    "No, it is you who should be thanked," Mist admitted.  "If it were not for you, I probably would've sulked around for a while."
    Nabiki bowed.  "Then we're even, ne?"
    Mist returned the bow.  "Hai, so desu ne."

                            *   *   *
    
        "Hey!  Over here!  We need help!"  Kurumi called out to the group as they marched out.  "Nabiki!  Uncle Saotome!  Over here!  We need help!  Somebody help...."  the young girl's words trailed off as she comprehended what she saw.  She and Ryoga were looking out towards the blasted landscape that had been the lush tropical site they had been in just an hour or so earlier.  Now, it resembled something out of a _Godzilla_ movie, or pictures of when men walked on the moon.  To say it was not a pretty sight would be an understatement.
    Kurumi moved closer to Ryoga, taking in the total extent of the damage.  "What...what happened?"
    Ryoga looked at her.  "I....  I don't know, Kurumi.  I just don't know."
    To their side, Shiva, Azusa, and Mikado had their own reactions.  Azusa reacted the same as Kurumi--that there was no way that this no-man's land could be the jungle battlefield which they were in not so long ago.  She then sank to her knees, murmuring, "This isn't possible.  This just isn't possible...."
    Shiva stared at the ground, a feeling of shame burning through her.  In some small way, she knew that she had contributed to this death and destruction.  By failing to defy Mango and her cronies, but allowing herself to be cowed into obeying Nguyen, she'd signed the death warrant for thousands of people.  There was nothing more worse in her mind, and she stood there, shoulders slumped in shame.
    Mikado was affected slightly by the ravaging destruction, believing that only something more powerful than what he had just seen his cousin do had its hand in this affair, and that he didn't want to get on that person's bad side.  'Course, if the person in question happened to be the hot ninja babe, well....
    Kaori stared, impassive and silent.  This was somehow right.  The earth mourned for her, cooed at her and let her know of her loss.  The outside world showed her as a shadow of what she once was.  The truth lay within...in the darkest, deepest scars of her soul.  No one, however, really thought to get her opinion of this vision of death, and with that, it sunk the mortal blow of Shinnosuke's loss even further.
    The group, buoyed by Shiva's movements, began to move forward, jaded combatants in a ground silenced by a final conflict.  Without really thinking about it, Kurumi reached over and took Ryoga's hand for comfort, which he absently held.  Shiva and Azusa walked side by side, not really wanting to or knowing what to say.  Mikado simply said nothing.  Kaori followed along in her own world, thinking of only God knew what.
    

    Nabiki was the first to see them, and within minutes, she and Shampoo were moving to help them.  Then they noticed the bag that was being hefted by both Ryoga and Mikado.  Nothing more was said as they guided the bag (who, at Ryoga's insistence, was not to be opened).  Nabiki then checked her youngest sister to see if she was okay, not traumatized, etc, while Shampoo talked to Ryoga on the same issue.  Mikado saw Kodachi in the distance and began to walk over to her.  Azusa said nothing, and simply went over and hugged Ryoga's arm for comfort, trusting that just being next to one of her best friends would make a difference.
    No one said a word or even noticed Kaori as she sat next to the black back that held the man she loved.  No one noticed as she slipped her arms around the bag, murmuring, "I'll get her for what she did to you, my love.  I promise."  No one saw the split-second's moment of pure hatred that sank into the mind of the young woman named Daikoku Kaori.  She was forgotten and left alone to her own devices...
...and her own building, smoldering hatred of Tendo Akane.


    "Kodachi?"  Mikado said once he arrived at her side.  Poor girl.  She looked really beat.
    Kuno looked up at the speaker, his body tensing with protective reactions in him that he'd not felt in years.  Whatever this knave wanted, he would have to get through Kuno Tatewaki first.
    Kodachi, however, looked up, and through her tears, saw Mikado.  She saw him, and in an instant, knew what to do.  She got to her feet, wiped away her tears, then took him in her arms, saying softly, "I love you.  I don't know how or why, but I do."  That pronouncement made, she kissed him softly and tenderly. 
    Something jolted in Mikado, and he returned the passion as eagerly as he received it, pouring real emotions in to the kiss that he had with the young woman.
    Kuno looked at the two lovers, initially surprised by her reaction, but eventually bringing a small grin to his lips.  He willed himself to drop the protective brother act; Kodachi could take care of herself, or call for him if she needed to.  In fact, Kuno thought to himself, it was a relief: Kodachi would be fine.  In the end, after all that she'd endured and suffered through, after all the shock and trauma that she'd lived under, she'd found someone who would be true to her needs--not the needs of the Black Rose, but to the needs of Kuno Kodachi.  As he stepped away from the happy couple, he glanced in the direction of Nabiki.  He thought to himself, {It's such a shame that people like Nabiki are destined to be alone.  I at least have my ruby-maned goddess.  Nabiki has no one.}  A dull ache developed in his heart as he realized it, but he attributed it to sympathy for his friend.
    So why did it feel like more than basic understanding?

                           *   *   *

    Shiva stood patiently behind Kurumi, not saying a word until Nabiki looked straight at the girl.  At the first, Nabiki said, "Ku-chan, who is she?  A prisoner you rescued?  An enemy you captured?  Who?"
    Kurumi turned and looked at Shiva.  A smile crossed her face as she said, "Are you ready, Shiva?"
The platinum-haired girl looked at Kurumi and blushed slightly.  "Ready for what, Kurumi?"
    Kurumi took the other girl by the hand and made a beeline for the adults in the center of the encampment, Nabiki closely following, with Shampoo, Ryoga, and Azusa quickly making up the rear, with Kaori unintentionally forgotten in the heat of the moment.
    "So," Nabiki crooned, "Ku-chan, you *still* haven't told me who the girl is yet."
    "Oh.  Gomen ne.  She's with Ranma."  Kurumi avoided any further talk, not wishing to spoil the surprise.
    Nabiki buried her face in her hands.  She moaned, "Not *another* one!  And this one's sooooo *young!"*
    Ryoga giggled, then took Nabiki to the side.  "It ain't like that, Nabiki.  Trust me."  He then bent over and whispered into her ear.  A cast of puzzlement crossed her face, replaced initially by incredulity and then abject amazement.
    "You're not serious, are you?" she deadpanned when Ryoga's explanation was complete.
    "It's Ranma.  What do *you* think?"
    "Oh."


    Genma, Mist, and Twinmoon were currently still trying to contact some--*any*--communications tower within reach of the range of the radio array.  At the moment, it appeared that they were currently in a failing attempt to contact a comm station at Nekonron.  Twinmoon was currently using the Morse code system, after having tried satellite relay and jumping frequencies.  The situation looked as though they would be stuck out there, amongst the dead and the waste.
    The signal began to break up again, and Twinmoon swore aloud in English, capable as any soldier.  "Damn piece of metal and plastic ain't gettin' through to the people we need it to."
    "Twinmoon-san," Genma said as he stared at the elaborate equipment sitting before him, "I don't claim to understand this, but I'm assuming the situation isn't positive, is it?"
    "Brilliant deduction," Twinmoon snapped.  "There's gotta be something that's blocking the transmission.  Maybe something in the ground.  Maybe the castle.  Maybe the amount of ki-energy in the air, but I doubt that.  The point is, I don't think anyone heard that last broadcast."
    "I don't like this," Mist complained.  "Something is wrong.  I just know it.  Something tells me that the balance of things is about to be upset."


    "Isn't that the truth."  The trio of them turned to look at Kurumi.  She was standing next to a girl in her pre-teens, about Kurumi's height, with long white hair, dazzling green eyes, and odd blue tattoos that matched the dark tones of her skin.  Nabiki stood behind them both, a quizzical look etched in her face that said it clearly: she had no idea what was transpiring, either.
    "Uncle Saotome?" Kurumi began.
    "Why, um, yes, Kurumi?"  Genma scratched his head nervously.  The younger girl was staring at him intensely, apparently studying him.  Not just his physical data, but as though she were searching for something deep within him, something that was no easily told by a simple glance or two.
    Kurumi pushed the girl before him.  "Uncle, this is Shiva."  Nothing big there.  But Kurumi's next words to the girl stunned  Genma to the core.  "Shiva, this is Saotome Genma.  Your father."
    The girl--Shiva--stared at Genma for a few more minutes, the searching cast still in her eyes, before the glance stopped and was replaced by something that Genma was unaccustomed to seeing on the face of a young girl: reverence and respect.  "Father."  She then leapt up and clamped to his leg.  "Father.  My own father.  Who I have waited for this day."  She held him like a security blanket, tears of joy coming to her face.
    Genma didn't react with his usual aplomb, or sense of survival.  The plight of the little girl touched him somewhere within, and so he returned the hug.  The comment that she had referred to herself as his daughter hadn't fazed him too much.  The part of the cosmos that allowed for whatever complex distortions in the chain of life had just slipped its gears once again, he realized.
    He brought the girl into his arms, lifting her and bringing her to eye level.  "Little one," he spoke softly, "I am honored that you would call me your father, but I do have to ask: what brought you to this conclusion?"


    "We did," two voices sang out in unison.
    Everyone turned and moved to the sound of the voice.  The voice, whether male or female, held its speech and patois, and the mind behind it.  A voice that spoke of friends, of honor, and of a love for his fianc�e and those in his life.  A voice that spoke in the soft tones of the redhead, or the cool tones of the young man.
    A voice they never expected to hear in stereo.

                           *   *   *

     The three of them marched out of the remains of the Crystal Temple, towards the their friends, the wounded, the grieving, and the dead.  Ranma looked around and saw most of his friends.  Most.  He looked nervously at Akane and the other girl, not knowing what to say.  He then spoke to Akane.  "Akane...Uc-chan and Konatsu.  Shinnosuke.  Where...?"
    Akane, for her part, then realized that those that Ranma had spoken of weren't present.  Ukyo and Konatsu's presence was disturbing, but coupled with Shinnosuke, was devastating.  She looked at Ranma, then at the enigmatic redhead on Ranma's other side.  "Do you see them?"
    She looked back at Ranma and Akane, her eyes containing the all-too-familiar sense of pain that had been so pervasive this morning.  "I see something, you two--" she pointed at the body bag and the shroud next to it, "--and I wish I hadn't.  Oniichan, do you think..?"
    Ranma's eyes, however, had clouded with worry.  "I hope not, sis.  I hope not."


    The crowd of fighters gathered around a wounded Ranma, an equally injured Akane, and the mysterious girl that looked like Ranma's alter ego.  Natsumi waved hi to Ranma while Mai continued to hold her arms around the ninja's waist.  Kuno smiled wistfully at the pair, then saw the Pig-tailed girl, but said nothing until he was alone with her; Kodachi and Mikado went down to where the three of were, though they kept their distance from them.  Shampoo hugged Ranma, joyous that he was safe; for once, Akane didn't argue the point (though she did make a half-hearted swipe at the Amazon when the hug became an attempt at a passionate kiss).  Ryoga mock-frowned at Ranma, then thumped him on the head before welcoming him back.  Kurumi and Azusa practically tackled Ranma and Akane in their joy of seeing the two.  Then finally, Shiva raced up to Ranma, hugging him fiercely, then instantly turned that hug on to the red-haired girl.  She backed off and said, "I'm so sorry I disobeyed you.  I know you would've have wanted me to help your friends, so I..."
    Ranma looked at Shiva, a smile from ear to ear.  "Shiva," he said, "as long as you're safe, that's what matters to us, little sis."
    The mysterious redhead added to the commentary.  "Yes.  We love you much, Shi-chan, and we're only glad that we can all go home together."
    Akane placed her hands on the shoulders of the two lookalikes.  Eyes tearing with the onrush of joy, she sniffed and said to everyone, "I have my Ranma back.  Domo arigato gozaimasu.  Domo arigato gozaimasho."


    It was only after the situation had gained some semblance of normalcy that anyone bothered to react to this third addition to their circle of friends.  "Who is she, Ranma?"  Nabiki asked, completely perplexed.  All the others who were still conscious, were just as stunned.  The world had apparently just entered the Twilight Zone.
    In the interim, the two at the center of attention were ignoring the others' stares.  Ranma turned to the girl.  "You know, you could answer them...."
    She looked back, giving the male a wink and a saucy grin, cracking, "Awwww, you just want to ruin the fun!"
    There could only be one person who was like that.  Yet he was there.  And *she* was there.  At once, again.  But there was no hostility between the two forms, this time; in fact, it seemed that they were acting like siblings.  Twins.  Clones.  Or as Ranma had once told Kuno long ago, "Ranma and I are of one mind and one body."
    Once, perhaps.  But no more.
    Ryoga and Natsumi voiced the same words, not believing that this--what it appeared to be--was possible, could be possible:  "Ranma-chan...."
    "No, not 'Ranma-chan'.  Ranko."  Genma himself somehow knew the answer, and was at a near loss for words.  A look of true astonishment and wonder crossed his face as he whispered to no one in particular:  "She's my *daughter...."*


    Brother looked at sister.  "Ready to face the world?"
    Sister looked straight back at brother.  "Gee...what do you think?"
    Akane put in her own two cents.  "I think she's ready, Ranma."
    "So do I."  Ranma put one arm around his fianc�e, and held her.  He put his other arm around the redhead, and said with a note of pure pride in his voice, "This is my *sister,* Ranko.  Anybody who has a problem with that will have to deal with *me."*  He then looked at his sister, and there was no mistaking the love, joy, and pride he had in his eyes.  "You did good, sis.  Thank you."
    Akane looked at the girl in the same way.  "Welcome to the family, sis."
    Ranko looked at Akane and Ranma.  She was in too joyous a mood, simply basking in the moment.  This was her life, her friends, her family.  There would be more, of course, but this was the moment that would forever imprint into the mind of the young woman: this was the origin of her life.
    

    Ranko then decided it was time that she faced the next step.  She took Shiva in hand, and went to her father, Ranma and Akane following close behind.  She stared at him for a long time, Shiva standing in front of her; she could feel her brother's presence behind her.
    She called out mentally.  <<What if he...?>>
    <<I doubt he would, sis,>> Ranma answered.  <<This is *you* we're talking about, and I think deep down he's always wanted a daughter--a full time girl, that is.  Besides, if Pop doesn't accept you or Shiva, I guess I'll have to explain it to him.>>  She could hear Ranma cracking his knuckles.  He then stopped, then added, <<'Course, you might want to do it--prove to him that you and Shiva are Saotomes, after all....>>
    She smiled mentally.  <<Thanks.>>  She then focused on her father, looking at him, unsure of what to say.  Apparently, Genma was also at a loss for words, since he didn't offer any witticisms at the moment.  Shiva simply looked around at Genma, then Ranko, then Ranma and Akane.
    Ranma then finally broke the silence between the trio.  He and Akane moved directly behind the pair and said, "Look, Pop, I know this isn't easy for us--for any of us.  I know Mom's about to have another kid and all, but I'm not abandoning my sisters.  At all.  They're my sisters, whether you accept them or not.  I know Mom would never turn them down."
    Akane spoke next.  "Ranko has every right to the Saotome name as Ranma.  Ranma spoke personally about Shiva as though she was the most wonderful thing in the world.  Father, you can't deny them family.  You can't deny *him* his family."  She squeezed Ranma's hand in encouragement and display.
    Genma sat for a moment, then spoke.  "I suppose I'm getting mellower in my old age, but believe me when I say this."  There was a pregnant pause as the patriarch of the Saotome clan rendered his verdict.  "I hope we can get home in time to see the youngest Saotome meet his three older siblings."
    "Pop, I...."  Ranko, for a rarity, was stumped for words, tears beginning to leak from her cobalt eyes.
    Shiva did nothing more than jump up and down for joy, the very picture of the exuberant child that she was.  
    Kurumi, from her location, commented to Ryoga, "Ah, the Saotomes.  Never gonna know what the hell they're up to next, ne?"
    Ryoga grinned, saying, "Nope...and that's what makes them so special, I guess."


    A teary-eyed Ranko smiled, and would've said something, if it hadn't been for Genma putting his arms around the three, holding his children and future daughter-in-law close to him.  Shiva immediately inserted herself back with her family, making it a group of five, and making the Saotomes once step closer to being a real family.
    Life was beginning to rail against the death present.

                            *   *   *

    "Forty-five minutes until the satellite goes overhead, Mr. President," the National Security Advisor said, staring at Kyle Windham and Marc Lopez.  "Less than an hour until we see if Kyle's boys did their job, or we wipe out humanity."
    From another section of the war room, a scope analyst sounded out.  "Missile sites in Gangzhou and Tai Lin are warming up.  The Chinese are starting to get antsy."
    Another voice rang out, "Soviet and British missiles are being targeted at several major Chinese cities, sir.  French missiles are currently without a target, but could easily be locked on to Beijing and Shanghai within seconds."
    To the side of the DCI, an aide spoke.  "Sir, I have the Secretary-General on the phone, and he's begging that all sides reconsider this before the first bird launches."
    The President looked at Kyle, a weary visage staring at the Master of the Windham Clan.  "Kyle, it's all on your men, now.  In 45 minutes, they'll either save the world...or be the first to see it destroyed in a nuclear inferno."  He downed a glass of water down like a shot of bourbon before adding, "For what it's worth, Kyle, I know your talents, and you have a knack for being a miracle worker when the chips are down.  I just hope your people are the same."
    Kyle smiled nervously.  "Well, sir, I can say this much--if the person who I hope survived did, then we're in good hands.  There's no soldier better than John Twinmoon.  I've worked with him for years, and he's one of my best friends--a man I would give my life for in a heartbeat.  If there's a way to stop this insanity, then John will find a way, you can be sure of that.  I'm so positive of his abilities, that I promise you can take that to the bank."  A pause.  "Provided, of course, that there's one to go at the end of the hour."

                           *   *   *

    Akane disengaged Ranko and Ranma from the group hug.  They then compared notes, explaining briefly their whole ordeal.  Akane, as expected, broke down in tears when she heard of Shinnosuke's death; Shiva, seeing the look on her older siblings, sensed that this girl was the one central to their lives and thus moved to console her someday-to-be-sister-in-law.  Ranma and Ranko, however, immediately moved towards where Ukyo was sedated, but Ryoga stopped them in their tracks.
    "C'mon, Ryoga, she needs me," Ranma stated.
    "She's our best friend," Ranko added.  "If she wants us there, we'll be there."
    "No, you two won't."  Ryoga stood firm.  "What about Akane?"
    "Ryoga!"  Ranko retorted.  "How could you--"
    "That's not what I meant, and you know it!"  Ryoga responded.  "I know Shiva's there for her, and her sisters.  What I'm saying is, she needs you, Ranma."
    "For the record, Ryoga," Ranma said, icily, "Akane insisted I see Ukyo, 'cause if Konatsu's dead, then she needs me more than ever."  
    "Oh.  Sorry, I didn't know that."  Ryoga paused for a second before going into his next reason.  "At least be careful, then.  Ranma, Ranma-cha...*Ranko*, do you guys realize what you could do to her?  Ranma, you'll wander in there, a reminder of the love she can never have just as she's lost her fianc�.  Ranko, at best, she'll think you're Ranma, and act the same as I just said.  Once she finds out about you...the shock...."  He shook his head solemnly  "I don't want to think of what it will do to Ukyo."
    Ranko put an arm on his shoulder.  "Thanks, Ryoga.  I don't say this much but you're a lot smarter than I give you credit for."
    "Put the credit where credit is due.  Akari's had a calming effect on me."  He then sighed and scratched the back of his head.  "Look, I know you two care about Ukyo a lot; so do I.  Ranma, you go in.  Ranko, I'm sorry, but...."
    "I understand," she said.  She looked at Ranma, silently adding, <<Oniichan?>>
    <<Don't even bother asking,>> was his reply.  <<You know I'll tell you.>>
    She put up the most wistful smile that she could muster as her brother/other half entered the tent.  She looked at Ryoga and said, "I'm going to talk to Akane.  She needs someone now, as well."
    "I'll join you," he commented.  "Ranma and Ukyo need some time alone."


    Ukyo slowly woke up to the sensation of someone caressing her face.  She whispered a mournful "Kona-chan," and began to softly cry about the man that she lost.  She'd lost everything, now; there was nothing left for her in this life except to waste away to nothing.  She would never even get to say her good-byes to him, to tell him one last time how much she loved him.
    She'd also lost her Ran-chan, too.  The only other person who meant anything to her.  Her only fianc�, her best friend, her love of loves.  Both men gone, cut away from her, never to be seen by her, or for her to tell them both that it was them both that she truly loved with all of her heart.  A sorrowful tale, maybe, but Ukyo didn't care.  She loved them both so much, and now they were gone, gone, gone--
    "Uc-chan."  A familiar voice broke the reverie.  That voice contained friendship and love, and promise.  That voice was more importantly, there.  Not faked.  Not imagined.  Not dreamed.  Real.  She opened up her eyes and saw the person who owned that voice.
    Ranma.
    "Oh, Ran-chan," she whispered, so afraid of finding out it was nothing but a dream.  "Is that really you?"
    Ranma pulled Ukyo into a hug.  "C'mon, Uc-chan.  Do you really think I'd leave you behind?"  He continued to hold the girl, as she cried for a bittersweet mixture of emotions, of pain that one love was dead and joy that the other still lived.  They stayed like that for minutes, until Ranma wiped away the tears from her face.
    Ukyo looked at Ranma and said, "This is what I get for giving up on you, Ran-chan.  I've lost my Konatsu.  I--"
    "Uc-chan, don't blame yourself.  I...I heard what happened.  He loved you enough to protect you to the end.  If there's anyone to blame, it's me."
    "No, Ran-chan, it's my fault.  It's my fault for falling in love with someone else, and I'll never let that happen again."  A determined edge sank into her voice.  "I'm not going to fight with Akane over you, but I'll be damned if anyone else other than us gets you, Saotome Ranma.  I love you too much."  And with that, she leaned forward and kissed him, as the tears slowly began again.
    Ranma stood there in shock, not knowing what to do.  Finally, he decided that he would let her break off first.  He didn't enjoy kissing her--to him, it was the same as kissing one of the other Tendo girls, Shiva, or Ranko--but he would bear it for her.  However, Ukyo's words sank into the back of his mind with a troubling finality.  What did she mean, and what would that spell for his relationship with Akane?  He'd have to talk this over with Akane; maybe she'd be able to help in this situation.  Ranma was troubled, but he did at least know he loved Ukyo enough that he would always be there for her.  She was, after all, very much his closest friend, fianc�e, and like a sister to him.  He would do no less for her than he would for any of the Tendos or his family.  She was, to him, just as much a part of his family as the others was.

                            *   *   *

    While Ranma was consoling Ukyo, and the Tendo sisters rallied behind Akane, Ranko put aside her grief and sadness and turned to point to the Crystal Temple.  The redhead went into a brief description of what had happened to them, from the moment that Ranma stepped into the temple, to the moment they realized that they were now two people, to the point where the three of them battled Nguyen to the death, and their fortunate survival.  She also mentioned that although she and Ranma were okay, and those who needed to be rescued from the clutches of Nguyen were safe, but one thing still remained.  "There's still the issue of what to do about that thing."  
    Natsumi, returning to the fold, was the first to speak.  "Happosai and Cologne said that it in all honesty, the place was filled with secrets that mankind wasn't meant to know, that there are things locked away in there that should stay locked away."
    Ranko shuddered, thinking of the Araknyd; just as uncomfortable was the fact that the lech and the old ghoul were somehow involved in this whole ordeal.  She then looked at Natsumi, nodding her assent; based on her personal knowledge, it was clear to that if a magical castle could split a person into two people, there was something there that should best be left alone.
    "Well, if you ask me," Ryoga sounded off, "I think we should blow it off the map.  That thing's too dangerous."
    Shampoo, despite her ordeal in the pagoda, disagreed.  "Shampoo think black pagoda should stay where is.  Destroy pagoda could make situation worse.  Might release monster or worse curse than Shampoo, airen, and friends have now."
    Mist formed a sphere of ki in her hand, and a look of malice filled her eyes.  "That place is a den of pure evil.  I don't care what it once was, I'm only concerned that if someone corrupted it once, they can corrupt it again.  There's more at stake here than you all realize, and I'm not comfortable with leaving a potential weapon like that free for the taking."
    Twinmoon nodded his head.  "I'm inclined to agree with Mist.  That place is too dangerous.  It has to be destroyed.  So long as it stands, there's a chance that another madman could threaten the world."
    Natsumi brought her battle aura into play.  "There's no way that I'm allowing that building to stand if its gifts could be turned.  I'll raze the damn thing myself."
    Shiva looked unsure for a second, then powered up as well.  "It may have been home once," she admitted, "but in the end, home is where the heart is.  My home is with my family...not that building there."
    The non-ki Artists backed away from the amount of energy bleed the four were coming up with.  They were pouring their power into one coordinated strike, ready to tear apart the pagoda before them in one massive burst.
    *"FIRE!"* Mist roared, slamming her hand forward as she threw her hand forward and yelled, "Hadokochoken!"  A pulse of energy, shaped like a butterfly, stormed towards the pagoda.
    "Shi Shi Hokodan!"  Ryoga launched his aqua-hued beam, aiming for the same point as the shinobi.
    Natsumi punched forward, releasing her orange energy vortex, crying, "Sempuuken!"
    "Hino no Marui!"  Shiva loosed her multiple fireball attack, directed at the same location as the others.
    Ranko paused for a half-second before charging her battle aura, bringing it up to an intensity that no one had seen in Ranma before.  She thrust her hands forward, bellowing, *"Moko Takabishiya!"* as a powerful beam of red bioenergy lanced towards its target, ready to tear through the structure and reduce it to so much crystalline rubble.


    The combined assault hit the closest wall with enough force to topple a skyscraper.  Then the force dissipated in a blinding flash of light as the energy was refracted and redirected in a million directions.  Like a prism, the Crystal temple acted true to its name and separated the blows of force into harmless nothingness, the only aftereffect being the spectacular blinding effect that was parlayed against the group of fighters assembled.
    As the kaleidoscopic burst of energy rebounded back at the group, each person could feel the slightest force as the ki was directed back at them.  They easily avoided the brunt of the virtually harmless blast by hitting the ground, but all admitted to being a bit sore when they got back to their feet.  As for the wave of prismatic light, it knocked over the tent that Ranma and Ukyo were in before it continued on to dissipate in the distance.
    Mist looked at the castle, which was undamaged from their attack.  "An exterior spell of some kind, it seems," the shinobi mused, the tone of her voice showing that she was obviously unhappy about the whole incident.  "It looks like we'll have to go to Super Art level to destroy this thing."
    The group began to charge up their stronger level attacks, when Ranma called out, "Don't!"  The group immediately stopped their charging, then turned to ask Ranma exactly what the hell was going on.  What they got was a surprise.


    Ranma and Ukyo crawled out from the overturned tent, Ukyo clinging to him like the security blanket he was for her.  That was expected.  What *wasn't* expected was the battle aura that Ranma was manifesting.  It was brighter than anything he had ever exhibited before--and just as strong as Ranko's  
    Ranma turned to Ukyo and said, "Uc-chan, wait with Akane."  She nodded and reluctantly but willingly complied.  Wordlessly, he looked at Ranko, who returned the even gaze and moved to his side.
    Ranma looked at the woman dressed in white--apparently Natsumi's mater, if he'd heard right.  "If you hit it with the multiplicity of ki strikes, it ain't going to work.  The mindsets are too different, and the power of them Temple can use that to its advantage."
    Mist looked at the martial artist with a degree of respect that was slightly higher than that of the others.  She raised an eyebrow in thought.  "And so, how do you come to this conclusion, Saotome-san?"
    "Easy," he replied.  "I figured it out while I was fighting Nguyen.  When I fought him on a one-on-one level, I was downing him, but he got up fairly quickly.  When Ranko and Akane fought him, it was the same results, but it took him longer to get up.  When all three of us laid that final punch on him, we were fully focused and acting as one--and that's what finally did him in.
    "I thought that it was him who had that skill, but looking back at your last attack, I just realized that he was channeling the force of the Temple, and so it must be the *Temple* that has that ability."
    Ranko added, "We two, of all of us, have the closest links to each other, for obvious reasons.  'Course," she grinned, "we're no slouches in the firepower department, either."
    Mist looked at them both.  "And you're both sure that will work?  That two people can achieve what was impossible for five, even yourself, Saotome Ranko?"
    Both nodded as Ranma quipped, "There's no such thing as impossible for a Saotome."
    Mist nodded her head.  "Well, the show's all yours.  Good luck."


    The two halves of Saotome Ranma stared at each other for what seemed the longest of times.  Then, they spoke.
    "Are you ready, Ranko?" came the question.
    "Don't you just know it," was the reply.
    The two immediately began a slow, yet synchronized kata, one that all instantly recognized as one to build up massive amounts of ki, up to the Final Attack level.  Slowly, Ranma and Ranko began to glow like binary stars, each doing the same movement as the other, a mirror held up to itself; true yin and yang.
    The power in them grew stronger and stronger as their battle auras began to grow brighter and brighter, the energy bleed beginning to at first move small pebbles around, then rocks, then stones.  Yet their power expanded still, becoming more and more telling of the true power that was being readied for deployment.  A little over a year ago, Ranma had detonated a mountaintop with the force of his power.  The aura that he and Ranko were calling now looked ten times more potent than that--on the same level as Mist's, a few thought.
    The two auras began to intertwine, and as they did, traces of electric arcs could be seen.  The two continued their dance, with the others--Mist included--staring in awe.  Twinmoon swore up and down that he would retire as soon as he returned to Seattle; when people this undisciplined were *this* powerful, it was time to throw in the towel.
    Finally, the two stopped, their energy output enough to start to crater the ground they stood on due to its force; indeed, they weren't even standing on ground, but were cocooned in their energy fields.  The two reached out and took the other's hand, and as the fields connected, they became one raging, snarling mass of ki and electricity, shimmering and sparking with dynamism more potent that not even Saffron or Herb could dream of
    Then the pair punched forward with their joined hands, their voices and mind in unison; not so much two minds acting as one but two halves of one mind rejoined to become whole once more.  That strike was something purely designed to counter the force of the Crystal Temple, the power of one.
    *"SAOTOME SCHOOL OF ANYTHING GOES MARTIAL ARTS TANDEM ATTACK!!!!!!!! HIRYU SHOTEN HA, HORIZONTAL, FUTATSU!!!!!!!!!"*  From the clenched fists erupted a horizontal tornado on the level of a force of nature, an eddy of energy slammed into the Crystal Temple, rocking it to its foundations, and causing a backwash of energy strong enough to knock all save Ranma and Ranko off their feet.  The two, however, still continued their onslaught, not saying anything, only focusing their will on the black facade in front of them.  The energy flickered and spiraled around them, and every iota of their bodies embued the force they were applying to the attack, from the joined hands that were entirely too bright to look at, their eyes which were stars set in eye sockets.
    Then, when it seemed that the zenith of the attack had been reached, they released the second half of the attack.  Roaring towards the Temple came not one, but two dragons, racing forward and intertwined, like siblings playing, or like two strands of the same DNA helix.  The two energy dragons crashed headlong into the side of the building and with that, the Crystal Temple was defeated and removed.
    No explosions, no pyrotechnics, no overly loud boom.
    It simply vanished, without a trace.
    Just like that.


      From where the others stood, the thoughts were pretty much the same--absolute joy and elation, tinged with sorrow--for them all, save one.  "Goodbye, Xanadu," everyone heard Mai whisper.  "I will miss you."
    "That was Xanadu?  The legendary kingdom?"  Natsumi said.
    "'In Xanadu a pleasuredome did Kublai Khan erect,'" Kuno commented, force of habit.
    "The whole valley is Xanadu," Mai amended.  "That's the Crystal Temple, not a pleasuredome.  He didn't build it; it was already here."
    "Um, Mai, isn't it?"  Akane asked.  "How do you know that?"
    "Trust me, sis," Natsumi said as she put a comforting arm around her wife, "you don't want to know."


    As for the Saotomes, the two lowered their hands and let go, feeling completely and utterly drained.  The two stumbled once, then fell to the floor, unconscious.

                            *   *   *

    "Mr. President, the satellite is in position."  The minute the voice was heard, all eyes focused upon the main screen.  The room grew as silent as a tomb.  World War III was now only a word away.
    The President turned to Kyle.  "Kyle, the moment of truth is at hand.  Are you ready?"
    Kyle looked nervous as hell, but steeled himself long enough to say, "Yes sir.  Let's do this."
    The President of the United States, a man with the power to order the destruction of the world, said, "Activate the main screen."
    The main screen came alive with fuzzy but colorful photos, courtesy of the CIA's live feed from space.  The information was simultaneously being fed to the British, the Soviets, and the French (who ten minutes prior had directed their missiles at last).  The screen showed the area thought to contain the dreaded black pagoda that had sewn terror and dread throughout the world, and now threatened to be the cause of the annihilation of the human race.
    The screen showed that very same pagoda, sitting in its locale, surrounded by a huge blast crater that was absolutely huge, but other than what appeared to be some minor damage, the ship remained intact.  Intact, and still able to cause the death of billions of people.
    There was only one choice, they all realized.  And God forgive them for it.
    One of the aides spoke up.  "Mister President, I have the Pope on the line, pleading for sanity's sake to end this madness.  'There has to be a better way,' he says."
    From another corner, the Secretary of Defense spoke.  "Sir, the silos in Montana and Wyoming are ready for launch.  All of our missile subs at sea are ready to go at your command."
    A third voice joined the duo stating, "The Premier of the PRC is on the line.  He is willing to radiate ten American, British, Soviet, and French cities for every missile that comes near his airspace...regardless of what country the missile lands in.  He doesn't care, sir."
    The President felt as though he was about to throw up.  On his next command hung the fate of the entire world.  He looked at everyone seated at the table, then finally his eyes rested on Kyle.  Both men looked haggard, the clarity of their failures sitting heavily on their shoulders.  "Kyle...."
    "I know, sir, I know.  And all I can say is, I'm sorry.  If I survive the initial attack, I can assure you I'll commit seppuku tonight.  This failure weighs heavily on me."  {My children, my family, my friends, innocents.  You'll all die because I followed my instincts and forgotten the nature of human failure.  An unacceptable price for one man's hubris, and it's too late to correct that.}
    "Mr. President.  The world awaits your decision," the Secretary of State said.
    The President paused.  With the next word, he would execute the populace of Earth.
    "Mr. President," the Secretary intoned again.


    *"LOOK!"* a voice said.  All eyes unglued themselves from the president and locked on to the monitor.
    On the screen, a massive laser of some type--was everyone imagining, or did the two beams look like Chinese-style dragons?--slammed into the structure, shaking it with a force that the satellite sensors registered as the same intensity as the guns from the  battleship MISSOURI.  The satellite wasn't able to pick up many details due to the intensity of the light screwing up the sensors, but it seemed that there were about twenty or so people there--about the average size of a Windham strike team.
    With a flash of light, the pagoda was gone, vaporized.  The sensors registered no mass, the visual display showed an empty space where the Crystal Temple had once been.
    Kyle's ninjas, led by the indomitable John Twinmoon, had done it.  Against all odds, they had just saved the world.
    

    While the silence reigned, the President took action.  He roared to the assembly, "Stand down all forces!  Repeat, stand down all forces!  Let the others know that we're shutting down the nukes.  This is over and done; the UFO is finished."
    A cheer erupted in the room as military commanders and diplomats informed their various contacts, giving them the situation.  The cheering grew louder as the world had teetered once again on the edge of nuclear death, only to be saved by the last-nanosecond efforts of the Windham ninja clan, who unfortunately, would not be receiving public credit; that sobriquet would go to the SEAL team stationed in Japan.  But the president--and those assembled--wouldn't forget the efforts of the Windham clan.  They were the true heroes.
    The President reached over and shook the hands of Master Shinobi Kyle Windham, then BMCS(SEAL) Marc Lopez.  "Your guys were great, Kyle!  I have to say this, but they're miracle workers!  Senior Chief, some credit goes to you, too.  In fact," the President said, "By tomorrow morning, I want to see you wearing Lieutenant JG bars, understood?  You deserve it."
    "Thank you, sir," Marc, who only served to back up Kyle, said.  He really didn't care to be an officer, but what the hell.  If the Commander-in-Chief wanted to circumvent the Nav's officer advancement policies, who was Marc to argue with him?
    "As for you, Kyle," the President continued, "I can't publicly thank your men, but I'll see to it that somehow, I'll make it up to them.  Maybe a cash grant or something, I don't know...."
    "Mr. President," Kyle said, somewhat flustered by the offer, "That's not needed.  The Windhams do our duty as we can.  It's our responsibility to do so."
    "No, I insist, Kyle. Those men risked everything.  A little reparation is in order."
    "If you insist, sir."  Kyle knew that arguing with the President would be useless.  "I'll see to it that any funds get to those who deserve it."
    "It's the least we can do, even if we can't thank them personally for their efforts."
    "I understand, sir.  In fact," Kyle grinned, as he winked at Marc, "some would say that the Windhams had absolutely nothing to do with this operation."
        
                           *   *   *

    When Ranma came to, a few hours later, he found himself surrounded.  To his left were Shiva and Ranko; to the right, Akane and Ukyo.  For a rarity, neither Shampoo (who was sleeping with the twins near Mousse) nor Kodachi (he thought he'd seen her briefly, but not since) took advantage of this.  Kuno--Ranma knew he was here--had not made a step towards Ranko yet; nor had anyone else.  It was peaceful, he noted, extremely peaceful.
    Therefore, by the laws of nature--at least the ones he was accustomed to--something had to go wrong within the next two seconds.  When those two seconds passed without comment, he knew something to be even more wrong than normal.  So, with as little excess movement as possible, he moved out of the tent, and to the exterior.
    As he left, though, Ranko opened up her eyes and watched him leave.  She knew something was bothering him; she even knew why--it was about her, and the next step that they'd have to take.  It was touching to her that he would be so worried about something that didn't directly affect him, but in a very real sense, it did just as much as it had her.  In fact, though, she'd been mulling over the same issue in her mind, and had come up with a solution of sorts.  If it worked, it would be the perfect solution to a sticky situation.  
    Silently nudging Shiva and Akane awake, she explained the situation briefly and told them to wake Ukyo--she didn't want to upset Uc-chan with her presence.  As the two stayed to help Ukyo out, Ranko got up and walked out of the tent, following her brother.  But before that, she would have to talk to someone else--and settle an old score.


    Ranma had wandered into the clearing, the later afternoon sun beating down on the tents.  He noticed that most of the group was asleep, in their tents.  There was, however, some of the group awake.  And, those that were, were fighting.
    Kodachi was engaged in sword combat with the shinobi called Mist.  Natsumi stood nearby, poised for combat like a cat, ready to strike at a moment's notice.  To Natsumi's side, a young Chinese girl--about 15 or so, by Ranma's guess-- watched the battle intently, but even more so, watched Natsumi.  The Amerikajin was working with what was called the "comm gear", and Genma was studying the duel, analyzing the movements of the two combatants.  Slightly disinterested in the conflict, Nabiki and Kuno were off to one side, chatting about something; so were, for that matter, Azusa and Ryoga.  Sanzenin Mikado--how big was the group that Akane brought, anyway?!?--sat away from the rest, watching one of the ninjas with a predatory air.
    Something was definitely different, here.  Normally, most of these people would be at each others' throats, some friendships notwithstanding.  What the hell had happened in the course of two weeks?  This was beyond the clear, even for people who lived the lives that they did.  It made no sense, so Ranma decided to swing closer to the group and find out what was going on.


    Kodachi was definitely fighting with Mist, but it was no deadly combat, although Kodachi was barely holding her own against the juggernaut in white.  It was, in actuality, a training regimen.  Kodachi, a Kaguro trainee, was testing her skills against ninjas that were her clan's sworn enemy.  In truth, though, the situation called for neutrality, and, furthermore, she held no animosity against them.  They were honored enemies, though why they *were* enemies was unclear to Kodachi--she would have to brush up on her Kaguro literature later on.
    In the interim, she took a whip strike to Mist that the shinobi easily caught.  Mist pulled her close in, charging her fist for a pin-point strike.  Kodachi vaulted back and launched some of her razor hoops, which the shinobi nimbly outmaneuvered.  Mist threw a butterfly-shaped shuriken, but Kodachi punted it away with one of her clubs.  Then the acrobat charged forward shouting, "Try and counter this!  Senju Konbo!"  The young woman had launched her Blow of A Thousand Clubs at Mist...
...who cried out, "Senju Konbo!" and initiated her own 1000 Hands Attack.  The two blows moved at mind-blurring speed, but Ranma's trained eye knew that the ninja moved swifter, and in fact was moving at the speed of his own Chestnut Punch.  The two continued this for a few more minutes, until Mist, apparently deciding that training was over, effortlessly snatched the clubs away from Kodachi, spun the girl around, and brought a tanto to her throat.
    Ranma tensed, ready to strike at a moment's notice.  The ninja was quick, but Ranma was quicker.  Things did not look so good.


    Kodachi was unsure of how many centuries passed as the shinobi held the blade to her throat.  She was, in fact, so scared that she scarcely felt Mist let go of her.  When she did, however, she turned to see Mist sheathing the short sword, commenting, "You're good for an 'independent' in training.  Too good, admittedly; self-taught ninja are usually quite inept."
    Kodachi bowed down in embarrassment for that little lie.  She should have known that a clan leader would be good enough to identify raw skill versus focused training.  "I have had a little training, sensei."
   "Really," the shinobi replied haughtily, raising an eyebrow at the girl's admission.  Mist moved next to the girl and whispered, "That training with your ribbon whip is still in need of refinement, young Kaguro."
   Kodachi blanched.  {She knows!  I'm dead meat!}  "I...um..."
   "Relax," Mist assured her.  "I will keep your secret.  It is a shame, though.  Your personality and spirit are too nice for that diabolical clan.  There will come a time when the Kaguros will backstab you, if you are not wary.  When that day comes, the Ghost Wolf clan will be there at need.  In fact, a position is open for you with us, should you ever wish it."
   Kodachi, unsure of what to say, simply bowed and replied, "Arigato, sensei.  I am honored.  I will think about it."
   "Please do.  I would hate to see talent such as yours wasted."  Back up to a suitable distance, Mist then turned and walked away.  As she did, she said, "By the way, you should learn the Senju Konbo without the use of the clubs.  True, it does take away from some of the blow, but you throw blows faster, and can thus get out more.  Try it."  She sat down next to Twinmoon, then said her final comment.  "It appears that you have a guest, Kuno-san."
    Kodachi turned flawlessly and faced Ranma.  "Oh, Ranma darling, it's so good to see you.  I've missed you, old friend."  She walked up to him and gave him the most chaste of kisses on his cheek.


    Ranma noted something was immediately wrong about Kodachi.  She was acting different.  She was calmer, and the coy act that she put on whenever she was with Ranma seemed to have branched off into the rest of her life.  Had she gone of the deep end, or...had he?
    "I know what you're thinking," she commented, seeing the stunned look on his face.  "Well, let me tell you something: thanks to you, I'm happy.  I realize that you and Akane are meant to be together, and I hope we can still be friends.  Don't get me wrong--I still love you, but I'll be content to be your friend, just as Ukyo is.  I do hope she's alright; my condolences."  She gave Ranma a quick affectionate hug, then said, "I have to go.  I have to talk to my loving brother--sometimes, I don't know what I'd do without Tatewaki-kun."  The Black Rose walked away, sans spectacle or littering the ground with ten metric tons of rose petals.  
    Ranma, meanwhile, was still in surprise.  {She didn't try to drug me, or anything.  She gave up!  *She let Akane keep me!  SHE SAID NICE THINGS ABOUT KUNO!!!!!!  WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON, HERE?!?!??!?*}
    Genma noticed his son's puzzled look and said, "C'mere, boy.  It's been a while since we talked.  And you need to be told a lot."  Genma launched himself towards his son, ready for another little "family conversation."


    Ten minutes later, as Ranma picked his father off the floor, he commented, "I see it's been just as weird for you, too, huh, old man."
    Genma bonked his son squarely on the head.  "You know, Ranma m'boy, I don't know how you do it.  I've never seen a person with such a knack for abject weirdness in their lives.  'Course there was the time that Tendo-kun and I fought the ronin of Naha, or the time that Windham-kun and I...."
    "Look, Pop, I'm..."
    "I know what you're going to say, Ranma.  You're concerned about your sister's future.  And I don't mean Shiva."
    Ranma drew aback at that; today was definitely a day for surprises.  "Well, how are we going to explain her existence to the world?  Shiva's easy--she'll be simply adopted.  But everyone's known my girl half for the longest time--either as another person, or as me cursed half.  Now that she's on her own, how do we explain her?  We could have Nabiki come up with something, but that may not be the best idea."
    "From what I hear, she's already exhausted her resources," Genma pointed out.
    "Didn't know that," Ranma replied.  "But that's a last-ditch case, anyway.  I want her life to seamless as possible.  I want her to have every chance that I never got.  Except, I just don't know how."
    "Well, boy, unfortunately, I'm not sure, either."  Genma wiped the lenses of his glasses on a tissue in a pocket on his gi.  "I'm sure if we all put our heads together, we'll come up with something."


    "Well, then," Ranko said, unexpectedly, "it's a good thing that I already have."  Ranma turned to see Ranko standing behind them, with Shampoo right next to her.  "It's odd, to say the least, but if it works, not only can we fix this little problem of mine, but we can also fix one other problem."  She smiled, then said, "Oniichan, I'm sure it will work.  It has before--it just never occurred to you that that might be the case, and the one time it did sink in, you thought it was defective."
    "Okay, ya wanna explain it?" though he felt he might have a small idea what she was talking about.
    She thought about it once more, pulling her brother into her mindstream, and instantly, he understood as well.  It wasn't what he thought it was, though it was related along the same lines.  He also saw no problems involved with the idea, and that it sounded good enough.  A split second later, he verbally commented, "Well, you'll have to explain it to Pop."
    "Explain what?"
    "This."  Ranko pulled out from under the tunic she wore the red gem.  "This is the little mischief maker that caused all this mess.  This was the item that distracted Ranma in Nerima, allowing her to be captured.  This was the item that saved her life when she was about to die.  This is the item that he and I believe created me.  We just weren't sure how it worked.
    "This little item happens to belong to Shampoo, here.  In fact, she'd intended to use it against Ranma to gain his undying love.  Only it backfired and ended up on him--her.  Well, to make a long story short, the gem only works for females.  I figured that out based on Ranma's memories of trying to use it as a guy and it acting like a regular crystal, 'n all.
    "What I want to do is use the gem to fit myself into reality.  If it works, then anyone who ever knew my being a separate person--the Kunos, for example--will always have known that, while those in the know will stay that way.  Additionally, we can just say then that my birth certificate was lost.  Furthermore, if the gem's spell works, then I can use its powers to break the curses."
    Ranma turned to Shampoo.  "Shampoo, what d' you think about this whole thing?"
    There was no mistaking the eagerness in her voice.  "It sound to Shampoo like good idea.  Though wode airen no longer have curse, friends do.  If girl-type Ranma--"
    "My name's Ranko," the redhead interjected.
    "--can do spell," Shampoo continued without skipping a beat, "then it good."
    "I'm curious about one other thing.  What about Ranko herself," Genma said.  "I thought you wanted to kill the female Ranma."
    Ranko groaned as she buried her head in her hand, then turned and slugged him.  "Gee, give her ideas, why dontcha?"
    "Shampoo already think about that, too.  Shampoo have kiss of death on girl-type Ranma, not wode airen.  But girl-type Ranma sister to airen now.  This never happen in village before, so no rules.  So Shampoo wait until talk to great-grandmother on it."  The Amazon princess had a clarity of purpose in this.  "Also, if Shampoo kill girl-type Ranma, then not get cured of curse.  Shampoo have hard enough time getting wode airen to bed.  No curse make it easier."
    "Okay," Ranma said.  "Gather everyone together."

                            *   *   *

    It took an hour to make sure that everyone was around.  They all sat while Shampoo made a quick impromptu dinner.  They all looked haggard and bone-weary, but they for the most part were alive to do so.  As the sun began to slowly creep its way towards the horizon, they all reflected on where the world was going.
    Akane sat, her arm on Ranma, joyous that she was with the man that she loved.  She also felt pain and sadness for the losses of Shinnosuke and Konatsu.
    Ranma and Ranko felt overjoyed to be amongst family and friends.  This was also felt by Shiva, who was currently engaged in a conversation with the Amazon twins, who were about her age.
    Azusa and Kurumi nestled against Ryoga's arms, comfortable as clams.  Ryoga, never before in this situation, hoped that no one thought ill of him, and more importantly, no one told Akari.
    Kuno and Nabiki were breezily chatting along, although nobody was sure what.  When Nabiki said, "Normally, it would cost you double, but since you're my friend," no one *wanted* to know what they were talking about.
    Ukyo sat, alone even though she was surrounded by friends, her food untouched, silent, and miserable.  Her life wasn't entirely empty, but she knew it was now on the downward spiral--her one last chance for happiness evaporated with Konatsu's death, and now she had nothing really to live for.  She would kill herself now, but that would hurt Ranma--both of them--too much.
    Kodachi and Mikado stared longingly into each others' eyes, lovers bound by heart's desire.  The others forgotten, they knew that in their heart, they'd found the ones that they were destined for, and would have a long life together.
    A third couple--Natsumi and Mai, were doing the same.  The ever bubbly Mai was giving Natsumi a shiatsu massage, while feeding her dinner, pledging her undying love and all around spoiling the ninja.  Natsumi, looked warmly at her newfound wife (for lack of a better word), and thinking that she could grow to like this.
    Genma watched his children and future daughter-in-law, a smile coming to his face.  The Saotome school was safe, the marriage between the Saotome and Tendo clans secure once more--and most importantly, his son was safe, and his family had expanded by half.  Not a bad day's work, all things considered.
    Mist watched the group from a distance.  They'd succeeded in their mission, the Ghost Wolf clan had been avenged, Natsumi had found some kind of inner peace.  That, Mist admitted to herself, was a good sign.  Additionally, she'd planted a seed of a thought in the Kaguro trainee, and the Amazon girls were interested, not to mention Natsumi's lover, who looked more than capable of the task.  With a little luck, Mist could hopefully begin to heal the wounds on her soul caused by the deaths of not only so many here today, but one of her own--Konatsu.
    Shampoo was thrilled that her Ranma was back.  For the moment, he was in Akane's arms, but the Chinese girl could rectify that soon enough.  She realized then, she'd called herself a Chinese girl, vice an Amazon, and the decision she made.  However, it was to save Mousse, she admitted, and in the end worth the loss.  She hoped.
    Mousse, once again conscious and propped up at Shampoo's side, stared at his love.  He knew that she was distraught over losing everything, but he also knew that she willingly gave up everything to save him.  Someday, he thought, someday she would admit her love for him.  It might come slowly, might even take a decade, but someday she would tell him that she loved him.
    Twinmoon was finally able to get in contact with a nearby radio station.  According to the Nekonron Royal Broadcasting station, the tiny principality had been hit hard, and their military was barely intact  Their military was in far too damaged a condition to provide any assistance to American troops, but wished them well, since they sounded tough enough on the phone.  John smiled.  He, who thought he was the toughest thing on this trip, turned out to be basically nothing more than excess baggage.  The sooner he returned to Seattle, the sooner he'd retire from an active ninja lifestyle and sort out what to do with the rest of his life.

                            *   *   *

    Off to one corner, by herself, Daikoku Kaori sat, alone and ignored.  Everyone consoled Kuonji over the loss of her lover, and made sure that she was well cared for.  Everyone also mourned Shinnosuke's death, but in the end, who was consoled on that?  Saotome.  Not Kaori, the woman who had loved and was to marry him, but Saotome Akane, who had given Shinnosuke nothing but grief.  Now he was dead, Kaori was alone, and having to explain it to his grandfather.  There was no justice to be found here amongst Saotome's allies, and there would only be one way to ensure that there was.  That night, Kaori made a fervent vow against the stars above that she would someday get her revenge against Saotome Akane through the thing that meant most to the girl--Ranma.  She would either take him from her, or kill him--just so long as Saotome knew what it was like to be alone and destroyed.
    After a second, Kaori added the redheaded girl to the list.  Especially when she found out that the girl was Ranma's younger sister.  Kaori was the first fianc�e; by rights, Ranko should've supported Kaori in her battle to gain Ranma, not counter her.  Ranko would also pay for Shinnosuke's death.
    The hellfire of hatred that burned within Kaori began to sink in, the first such smoldering hatred that would someday consume her utterly.

                            *   *   *

     After dinner, with everyone sated and relaxed, Ranko stood up.  Looking around at the gathering assembled, she kept her voice neutral as she spoke.  "Look, guys, I know this wasn't easy for you to come to rescue us.  Some of you weren't even expecting it to come to this.  But it has, and here we are.  My family and I thank you for helping us out when we needed it."
    "You're overly welcome, my pigtailed goddess," Kuno swooned, right on cue.  Now that the crisis had been ended, they were all sinking into their normal routines, and he was no exception.  Ranko couldn't fault him for that, but she felt her brother's--her--revulsion at being the object of his affections, something she wanted no part of.  She bit back her usually automatic retort, not willing to start a fight at this time; she instead settled on glaring at him until he sank back into the crowd.  As she began to readdress the group, she saw Nabiki look at her with a venomous glare, but she didn't know why.
    "To continue," she said, "I've got something that I feel needs to be done.  Over two years ago, this mess started when my brother fell in a lake several miles from here.  With that event, it started a chain of events that led us here, together.  I'm sorry that it had to bring us here, but not that it had to bring us together.  When we--he and I needed you--you were there for us.  That means a lot to me.
    "I know I can't express my gratitude enough, or pay you back for all that you've done.  All I can really do is give you my heartfelt thanks.  I'd like to do more, but for most of you, I can't."  She frowned, then spoke the words that sealed a destiny:  "I wish that I could know you all from the start, as you know me, to start over and make things right.  I wish that I'd had a full life, that I'd been known better from the start.  I wish that those who know me now will not forget me as I am, even as things change."
    The world exploded in a split-burst of red, as the gem screamed with a mind-shattering sound, a tone that sounded eerily like the roar of some unearthly beast, a cross between a jet engine, an elephant's call, and a lion's roar.

                    *   *  INTERMISSION   *   *

    "If I knew then what I know now," Ranko told her friends, "I would have shut up.  I thought I was being cute when I slipped my little change wish into my speech.  I thought that the roar was the signal that the magic was being used.  I was so wrong.  That roar was in actuality--"
    "--the demon being roused from its sleep," Maria finished.  "Ranko, you didn't know.  You barely knew what the gem was."
    "No excuse; Ranma had been exposed to enough magic that I should've been wary from the get-go.  Worse, it was one of the Joketsuzoku magical gems, which should've also set alarms off.  Instead, I dived right in, not knowing that the gem is safe to use only when it fit three criteria: One, that the user be female, or else it wouldn't work.  That much I knew.  What I didn't know were the other two: that the wish must be unconsciously made, or else it would draw upon the greed and avarice within the wish maker."
    "The road to hell is paved...." Gil said, sotto voce.
    "Exactly.  The third is that the person who summons that evil must not be a maiden pure of heart, capable of becoming a sacrifice to that darkness within.  What maiden is more pure than a woman two days old, whose entire existence had been based on that of a man?  No feminine knowledge whatsoever, not even instincts."
    "In short," Libby said, "you were a sitting duck."

                      *   *  STORY   *   *

    Everyone was frozen in a second's span of time, unaffected by the blitzkrieg of light and energy that moved around them.  The world warped and woofed like something out a sci-fi movie, then slowly returned to normal.  It seemed that nothing had happened; indeed, the spell had moved so quickly, she wasn't sure if it had worked.  There was also no immediate way to tell.
    Still, everyone had noticed her pause, and were waiting for her next words.  "I guess that it has to be as is," she improvised.  "But enough of that.
    "As many of you may know, some of you suffer under a curse.  An inconvenient curse, which I'm involved in.  I'd like to take the time to right that wrong.  It is time to end the curses once and for all.  It is time to set you free."  She looked at them, took a deep breath, then continued, a bit shakily.  "I don't know how your cures will come about.  The curse might disappear.  There's even a chance that the cure might split you in half, creating two beings where there was once one."  She smiled an enigmatic smile that only a few understood; its irony not lost on those who knew the truth.  "But in the end, it's your decision."  She looked at Shampoo first.  "Shampoo, I already know your choice.  Have you changed your mind?"
    "Shampoo ready to face fate, whatever is.  Not consider curse that bad, but if bother airen, then Shampoo only too too eager to get rid of."
    "Mousse, I also know you want to remove yours as well.  It could cause physical discomfort, and in your condition, it might cause serious injury.  Are you sure you want to do this?"
    "As ready as I'll ever be, Saotome," he said.  "I want this curse removed, no matter what."
    "Okay, then.  Ryoga--" she started.
    The Lost Boy was seriously afraid that she would reveal his secret in front of Akane and all the others.  Ranma knew his secret and hadn't entirely forgiven him for his deception of Akane; Ranko *was* Ranma, and thus would feel the same way.  He wished there was some way that he could tell her that yes, he'd do anything to free himself from the curse.
    Ranko saw the look of fear, hope and trepidation in his eyes and knew she'd tortured him enough.  "--would you help Ranma carry Mousse?  I don't want him walking and injuring himself before he's cured."  The relieved glance that she received from him was as good as gold.  She looked at him encouragingly.
    One last person remained.  She looked over her shoulder.  "Pop?"
    "No."  Genma's tone was firm.  "I will keep my curse."
    "Huh?!?"  Ranma was confused.  "You've always said you wanted to get rid of it, old man.  Why the change?"
    "I've been thinking, Ranma, Ranko.  I started this because of my ignorance years ago.  I dragged Ukyo into this because I was stupid.  I failed you two by taking you to Jusenkyo.  The others are cursed because of their ties with us.  I have made all of you suffer so much.  I deserve my shame, to wear and keep my mark to remind me of my own stupidity."
    "I understand, Pop," Ranko said.  A second later, she added, "plus, you like sitting around in panda form, being lazy."
    He paused.  "True," he admitted.
    "And you get away with things that way,"
    "Um, right."
    Ranma groaned.  "Stupid old man.  I don't *believe* you sometimes!"
    Ranko smiled.  "Hard to believe he's our father, ne?"
    "Ain't that the truth."  Ranma waved to Ryoga, and went over to Mousse.  "So, you ready, Mousse?"
    "Lead the way, Saotome," was his cheerful reply.


    "This far enough?"  Shampoo asked Ranko once they'd walked far enough from the group.
    "Yeah, it should be."  Her palm outstretched, she held a ki sphere for illumination, the energy ball making a suitable light.  To her side, Ranma and Ryoga were doing the same.
    "Ryoga, you seem nervous," Ranma commented.  "You okay?  You're shaking."
    "Shaking with joy, man!" he cheered.  "I'm gonna be free!  I'll bet you're happy that your curse is ended, right?  Um, no offense," he said to Ranko.
    "None taken," she responded.  "So here we go."  She pulled the gem free from its location under her tunic and spoke aloud.  "I, Saotome Ranko, wish that those assembled here have their curses removed from them."  Again, there was that unearthly sound of what could only be heavy magic at work...
...then nothing else.

    Nothing happened.

    "So, just like that, we're cured, huh?"  Ryoga claimed.  "Funny, I thought that I'd end up right next to P-Chan or something."  He scratched the back of his head in puzzlement.  "That's what happened to you two, right?"
    "Actually, Ryoga," Ranma replied, "we have no idea about what happened to us.  I was unconscious when it occurred.  Ranko doesn't remember much, do you?"
    "No," she admitted.  "I came to about a second or two before he did, and I think that's because my mind was forming at the time."
    "So, Shampoo now cure, like that.  Shame, too.  Shampoo like cat form."
    "Well, let me tell you, I did not like being a duck!"  Mousse commented.  "Do you realize how absolutely *humiliating* it is to be called 'Muu-muu-chan' and treated like a pet?"
    "You mean like "P-Chan', Mousse?"  Ryoga droned.
    "Okay, at least *you* understand.  But Shampoo, Ranma and Ranko have had their curses easi--" he stopped, and his face blanched.
    "What's wrong, Mousse?"  Ranma asked.
    The Chinese martial artist rocked his head back and screamed in unearthly pain.


    Shampoo rushed to his side in a panic.  {Muu Tsu!} she mentally screamed.  {What's happe--}   She dropped to her knees in horror as the wound on his chest burst back open in an explosion of blood.  From where she could see, it appeared as though his chest was bulging, as though a tumor had kicked into overdrive and was demanding to grow *now.*  No--not a tumor.  The duck.  It had to be, for there were no other considerations.  One form was breaking free from another, an--
    She suddenly felt as though someone had kicked her in the stomach.  Falling to the floor in pain, she vomited up blood.  Her chest suddenly felt like it was about to explode.  She doubled over as the pain grew more intense.  Somewhere in the distance, she could hear the whimpering of someone trying to withstand the pain--and failing.  Ryoga...it could only be.
    She reached over, and with as much strength as she could muster, took Mousse's hand in hers and squeezed.  She couldn't do much more, but she'd at least let her friend know that she was beside him.  She turned her head and looked at him.  He was out like a light...
    ...or a dead man.
    The last things she heard were girl-type Ranma screaming in horror at the sight that must be looking like.  She heard Ranma approach her and say, "Shampoo, please take care," felt him kiss her on the cheek.  She would have been in heaven at that point if it weren't for the separation putting her through hell.  He then heard Ranma tell his sister, "I'm going to go get help.  Stay here with them," then the crash of underbrush as he tore through the jungle, headed towards the others.
    Her last thought was, {He loves me!  My wode airen really loves me!  Oh, Ranma, I hope I'm still alive by the time you get back....}
    Then darkness claimed her.