Ranma 1/2 Fanfic - A Chinese Ghost Story
By Kahlil Noriega

	All rights belong to Rumiko Takahashi and to the creators of "A Chinese
Ghost Story" to which I based this Fanfic from.

*Authors note: This is a Ranma 1/2 alternate universe Fanfic to which some
details may defer greatly from the original - Enjoy!

*[ ] characters thoughts , < > sound effects , { } added description


Chapter II - Lotus Temple {first draft}


	In the emptiness of the void, cold as the night and less than forgiving -
and her - the center of her existence, floating in it's turbulent core of
wrought emotions long kept and hidden, forced back in the recesses of her
soul. Her constant struggle in life, and yet all this time she felt she was
on the losing side of the battle, but now a new comfort arose, surprising
but reassuringly enough, soft and tender, welcoming. The feelings that
emerged from this, suddenly warmed her soul and her entire being,
surrounding her like a rushing tide of water that swept her off her feet
and of all senses of the cold - which ended the longing. 

	Soft, gentle and soothing - a touch of warm joy and happiness emerging and
of a lightness she's never felt since her childhood. Of innocence like no
other ever felt in hers years of wandering. Like home and of a mother's
reassuring touch, unfamiliar yet welcomed, caressing her skin in soft
gentle waves of heat, and maybe of love. Radiating from the light of a
small flickering candle by her bedside. 

	Its base so thoroughly melted and spread out unevenly on the hardwood
surface of the table while long tendrils of black columnous smoke snaked up
its way to the clouded heavens. The small luminous, burning flame danced
and flickered with but the slightest touch of the cold wind. And like a the
hand of death, the fire died, consumed by the wind and darkness again
resumes it's death march as the light again faded in the midst of the dying
candle. And unconsciously Ranko struggles at its death, shivering and
shaking out of fear and of the cold. Whose frosty hands once again held her
heart yet the dying of the light that came from the small waxed candle, was
enough even to illuminate even just a fraction of the darkness she felt
with in. 

	Sleep came like a misbegotten dream yet like a child still unawares of all
the problems around her. She snuggles deeper into the folds of the blanket
draped around her. And frowns unconsciously, but she pays it no mind - She
knows she's found rest - A rest she hadn't known for a long time. And she
sleeps - she dreams as innocent as she, she dreams...
 
	Then, she remembers it all - Lost, in the flashes of the storm...

<Flash> 
<A loud thunder crash>

 	["Darkness?..."]

<Flash>

	Darkness as far as the eye could see, here in the forest full of shadows.
Where light from the moon above is but a touch of gray in the thick foliage
of the forest interior. A haven for hells dark denizens to prowl and hunt,
their voices carried by the passing of the cold harsh wind. Which rattled
and shook the bone like hands of the leafless trees nearby.
 
	And where the hands of death mocked those that dared enter, grabbing and
laughing with the wind as its prey desperately tries to untangle itself
from its vicious claws. While the ghost like fog that crept on the moist
soft ground lashed out with its tentacles that reached out from its hollow,
formless core. Spreading its deathly arms to cover those foolish enough to
stray from the path in a shear glimmering-white patch of cold mist.
Blinding anything that dared enter its forbidden cloak. And through it all,
the frantic sounds of a person running where intermixed with the voices of
deaths own hounds. Laughing like the jackals they are as they pursued the
helpless fawn in the realms of their dark master.


<Flash>


	["So cold... I feel so cold] < Rumble > [They're still after me - must get
away."] 

{Whispers}<Did you find her?> <No> <Where could she be?> <GO!> <Hurry!>


<Flash> <Rumble> 


	["Run, must run. Can't let them get me.] {Voices} <She couldn't have gone
that far> <Where is she> <Go!> [Oh God they're coming closer!"] 


<Flash> {The Fog and Mist}


	["Everything is so dark - Ahh...uhhh...Can't see] - <Cough> - <Cough> -
[Ahh...uhh...t... th... the fog.... ca...can....uhhh umm...can't <cough>
<cough> uhh...umm...breathe."] - <Choke> uhh...umm.


<Rumble> <Crash><Footfalls on water>


	["Must run, must get away.] Uhhh...oww!...umm... [The
branches...ahh....Must get free- So many. Feel like hands grabbing me,
slowing me down. Can't slow down] - Aaaahhrgg!!!...uhh...uhhh...huhh -
[Can't - uhh...let them... catch me!] Ahhhhh!...ah...oww...it
hurts...ahh...uuhh [Muscles aching - NO!...Uhhh...arrhgh] - The pain - [It
hurts so much!... afraid..."]
	
<Ah boss, what if we don't find her?> < Then don't show me your face ever
again> <Yeah...I gotcha boss.>


<Flash> <Thunder Crash>


	Uhh...["Blood - is it mine?] {Holds up her arm as warm crimson washes down
the length of it}- [It... can't be?] - Uhh...Ahh...{bloodied hand to her
forehead and shakes a bit} [...feel... so dizzy...] So tired {she said in a
whisper}. [Must... go on... "]


<Flash><Rumble> {Deep in the woods} 


	["Must run - Shadows? - so many - darting through the trees] - <Can you
see her?> <No> <Look for her again.> <Wait, did you hear something?> <No,
wait...over there!> <Go!> [RUN! ,must get away..."]


<Flash><Thunder Clash>


	["<RUN Mistress! > - That voice? {PAIN} ahhrgh! - <Run Mistress!!!> {Flash
- Boy} - The boy from the inn! - {Blood!} - His blood {A boy falling, mouth
pouring out blood} that face...NO! His eyes, glazing as he fell - <Flash>
{My Shock} <Flash> {His death} <Flash> {as he fell} <Flash> <Flash> <Flash>
{I run...as he came crashing on the inns dirt covered
floor.}<Flash>{running in the forest} - The thought of running was on
impulse - they killed him! - My god, they killed him {tears from her eyes}
- Must run, can't let them catch me..."]


<Flash> <Thunder Crash> 


	["Voices so close] - <HAHaHaHahauhHaHaHa!> - [cruel and malicious - cold
and full of anger. When they slaughtered him] < Where is she? - Uhh can't
find her - FIND her! > <Over here! This way! >  - [The men from the inn. -
They are the ones who killed that boy I met. His death cries still haunts
me in my thoughts... "] 


<Flash><Rumble> {Intense Pain}


	Aaarhhgghh!!...["Then the pain... - So sharp - I can feel it course
through my whole body] - <I scream> {Not because of the pain, no partly, it
is the realization that death will come to take me.} [No, not now!]{Tumbles
down in the dirt, rolling and crashing through bush and leaves} [The world
spinning before my eyes till I come to a complete stop - and all I could
feel is the pain..."]


<Flash> <Thunder Clash>


	Uhh...ummm...["I can feel the earth under me, so soft and cold from the
rain then did I know that I've stopped] <Did you see her? > <Yeah, I think
she fell that way. > <That's a pretty steep fall> <you think she's still
alive? > <Well one thing's for certain. > <What's that boss? > <I'm going
to have my way with her, dead or alive, the things she's put me through,
she'll regret having come cross paths with me. Come on! >
Uhhhh...aaargh...ahh...uhhh... ["I try to move but I can't...uhh...umm...
ca... can't breathe.] - [Footsteps!] - [I struggle...but to no avail...I
feel...] Ahhrrghh... {pain} [...the fear clutching my heart and the warm
tears streaming down my eyes - and the hurt...I feel in my soul..."] - [I
close my eyes.]


<Flash>


	<Do you see her? ><No not yet. ><She's around here somewhere. ><I'd like
to get this over done now. ><Why? ><This forest is giving me the chills.

<Nahh...It's just your imagination spooking you.><I hope so...>

	["Voices!... so close, <A face> - that grin - so dark and cold - NO!"]


<Flash><Clash of Thunder>
<Flash>{The boy}<Flash>{Knife stabbing}<Flash>{Blood}<Flash>{A face}
<Flash><Flash><Flash><Flash>

	["That grin - That smile - That face - NO! - MUST RUN! MUST GET AWAY!"]

	"YOUR MINE!" the voice said in the darkness. 

***
{Waking from the dream.}

	
	"NNNOOOOOOOOO!" Ranko screams in the darkness of her room, <thunder
crackles from outside followed by the flashes of lightning> as she bolts
upright from the soft warm bed she lay on, shaking and shivering as she
stared at nothing on the far end of the room. Wrapping her arms around her
body as she clutched herself in a desperate embrace for sanity and from the
fear of the dream. 

	Sweat covered most of her forehead and her torn clothes showed more than
one dark wet patch as her tears freely ran down her soft moist cheeks as
she cried her soul out of all the pain she felt within. Her tangled loose
hair was matted and covering most of her face as realization puts fear
suddenly in her eyes as she recalled the events of her chase. And with the
ghost like voices that kept haunting her in her head.

	["You're mine, You're Mine, You're mine..."] the voices said as she cupped
her hands over her ears in the hopes the ghosts would go away. Drumming and
hammering her with it's unceasing cadence.

	While the memory of it all flooded back in producing a fresh batch of
tears which she wept openly in her open hands, shuddering at the men's
laughter as it echoed again within her thoughts and heart. Bringing with it
a slight chill that crawled up her spine. While the thunder and the rain
from outside mimicked the coldness and confusion that she felt within. 


***


{The flashes of the storm continue from outside, the rain pounding hard on
the houses slate roof} 

	Once all the hurt had been washed away by the tears and the pain they
brought rendered into a dull throb. She looks around cautiously at her
surroundings as she suddenly recognizes the foreign touch of the soft warm
blanket underneath her as well as the one she held in her hand and the
comfortable bed she lay on. Ranko looks at her body hastily, feeling
herself for any violation and sighs with relief for being alone and at the
sight and feel of having her clothes on, wet as they maybe, but thankful
nonetheless. 

	Taking the blanket again, she brought it closer, enjoying the warmth and
softness it brought against her skin. She also even found herself with a
few bandages on her arms and forehead. Which brought some concern to her on
who could have helped her. But then dismisses the thought quickly as the
noise from the rain outside, with it's ceaseless droning as well as and the
clash of thunder, brought her to stare at the simple sliding window in the
room she apparently stayed in. 

	Lightning from the storm, suddenly lit the dark room then dimmed it again
at its passing only to be followed by the crash of thunder. Ranko shivers
unconsciously and turns away from this as it brought back with it the fear
of the chase, and proceeds to examine the room she lay in. 

	The lightning from outside afforded only minimal light yet it gave enough
so that Ranko could discern certain details of the room. The smothered
candle lay on a small wooden table by the bed with it's slow rising gray
column of smoke shifting and vanishing with the breath of the wind. She
gave a slight smile as she stared at the lone candle, which had brought
some warmth to her. After which she began to examine the room even further
as she sat in the middle of the bed. 

	Aside from the small table beside her on the right hand side of the bed,
there by the foot of the bed on the far wall there she saw another small
table flanked on either side with a pair of wooden chairs. On this table
she noted, there is a small pot with some flowers in it and a wash bowl and
a small towel beside it. While above this, hung a large painting. Curious,
she got up on the left-hand side of the bed, not forgetting to take with
her the soft warm blanket. Which she held modestly to her chest as she
walked over to the picture to look at it. 
	
	She glides to the far wall on soft uncovered feet, to view the image seen
within that frame. Of a beauty whose artist might have been divinely
touched. For long she stared in ecstasy. That of a girl who washed her coal
black hair, by a flowing crystal stream, under the shade of a cherry tree.
Flowers bloomed around her as the birds did in the air. While flowing robes
of silky white matched the color of her leg as soft as the clouds that
danced in the wind. Her robe of woven silk clung to her form, revealing
every curve and line that bespoke of grace immortalized. Her face held an
everlasting sweet smile as did her eyes, which men would want to drown in. 

	Not realizing her drifting hand that took to its own course to trace the
outline of the girls rose red lips then as if to caress when it strayed to
her cheek. Ranko blushed a bit at what she saw and did, but she couldn't
tear her eyes off of it. Focused was she on the painting, that she didn't
realize the shadowed form moving in the background.

	 "Ohh...So you're finally awake." a voice said in the darkness, the candle
he held revealed a slight smile as he stepped into the room. In his hands
was a small wooden tray, which held the candle and a small bowl of steaming
hot soup balanced neatly on the tray.

	"Wai?..Wait!..." Ranko, surprised at the sudden appearance of the stranger
runs away in haste to the side of the bed, placing it between her and the
stranger. All the while trying desperately to calm her as he moved to place
the tray on the table which Ranko had just left a while ago. Ranko in the
mean time was backing away from him as far as she could go in the far most
corner of the bed as she openly stared at the intruder, gathering most of
the sheets to her as a make shift shield to cover herself. And if need be a
weapon, though not a very good one she thought. When the man tried to
approach her, his arms extended before him in an open handed gesture while
he stared at her from where he stood... 

	"Don't come any closer!" Ranko shouted to the man. Which he gently
complied by slowly backing away as he raised his hands in a show of
obedience.

	"Do you always show this kind of gratitude to those who happen to have
saved your life?" the man retorts with no hint of mockery to Ranko as he
casually smiles at her. A sharp tooth peeking out of his mouth giving him a
feral look as she stared at the man standing before her. 

	Ranko flashes bright crimson on her cheeks and is surprised at his sudden
reply. Studying him closely she noted the mans fairly long bangs held back
by multiple pieces of white cloth tied at his temples, he also wore loose
fitting blue robes and pants as well as white socks and black ankle high
shoes. The sleeves and tied closed with a piece of rope in a zigzag pattern
the same pattern to on his shins. But what was striking was that the same
white pieces of cloth were also tied around his forearms as though a
bandage but is not. A white cloth belt completed the entire picture.
Satisfied, she lets her guard down a bit and sits on the bed casually still
looking at him though she is still uncertain as to what to do next. She
misses the crimson glow on his cheeks as she sat there thinking of what to
do, then finally.

	"Thank you." Ranko replies slowly and softly as it seemed to her only
fitting to give her thanks for being rescued from those men who were after
her.
After saying this, the man relaxed a bit, and so did some of the tension
that's been building since that sudden interruption.

	"I...uhhmm...managed to cure most of your wounds and bandage them, but
umm...I couldn't do...uhh...anything about..." the man said clearly
embarrassed by this exchange. So he pointed to Ranko's disheveled clothing
which revealed more than it should have.

	Ranko flashes crimson at the implied statement then replying
"Uhh...umm...Thank's." Ranko replies softly, cutting the man's previous
thoughts as she meekly adjusts her clothing and leaves it at that in
silence. 

	While Ranko did this, the man had moved over to the table beneath the
painting and arranges her meal for her as Ranko watched from behind.

	"Where am I, what is this place?" Ranko asks as the man made to move to
the door upon completion of his task.

	"We'll talk about that tomorrow. That's if you don't mind, do you? You've
had quite an exciting day and you would feel much better if you had some
rest." the man said with a touch of concern in his voice.
	
	Ranko doesn't reply but understands what the man is trying to say. So she
just smiles in acceptance and said. "Tomorrow then..."

	"You should get some rest, and something to eat. I left you a bowl of soup
right there on the table. You will be safe here. I promise. No one will
bother you while I'm around." the man thumps his chest proudly as he said
this then coughs managing only after a weak smile.

	"Thank you." Ranko replied smiling.

	And with that reply the man walks over to the door to leave. 

	"Wait!" Ranko calls. Letting her outstretched hand fall to her side as the
man turns around to face her. "I...I didn't get your name."
	
	The man looks to the ground, flushing in embarrassment, smiling coyly from
underneath his calm expression then looking firmly again at her he replies
saying, "Ryoga, Hibiki Ryouga. And... welcome to Lotus Temple."
 
	Ranko smiles at this and repeats the name, "Ryouga" then nods her
agreement looking at him squarely in the face as he turns around to face
the door. Her Eyes still glued to his back but not before receiving a
gentle smile and a gracious nod of acknowledgement from him as he departs
through the door of her new room. 

***
{Outside of the Ranko's Room}

	Ryouga left the room feeling lighthearted, and a bit confused. In all of
his years in martial arts, his training has never prepared him for what was
to happen today. Never had he been so out of focus towards another person.
Well maybe not all the time he thought, sometimes even half the time when
his master was teaching him about the spirit world. 

	Maybe, his master could shed some light into the matter. ["But he isn't
due for some time...huh...I guess I could wait until he comes back."] he
thought. And with that locked firmly in his head he heads down the long
hallway and down the narrow flight of stairs that lead into an open
courtyard to do his evening meditations. Though he did have a hard time
concentrating that evening.


***
{Back in the room}


	Ranko watches Ryouga vanish behind the old wooden door as she sat there on
the soft warm bed. Then gives a sigh of relief, as she lay back down on the
bed, snuggling close to the soft pillow that was provided for her. Thinking
quietly all the while of the kindness this nice young man did for her.
Saving her from those nasty bandits and how he kindly treated her wounds
and even fed her if shelter wasn't enough. Now that she thought about it,
in the past, she has met only a few of like him throughout her journey
through China. And even then it wasn't easy enough like this. She thought
of repaying his kindness if she could sometime in the future but turns her
attention back to the picture on the wall. Staring at it long enough it
brought to mind several questions which was floating inside of her head
since discovering the picture. But the thought is silently pushed aside for
exhaustion finally caught up again with her and this time sleep came
decidedly peaceful. While the rumble and splatter of the storm outside
increased their noise was lessened by the sheltering walls of the temple.
Mouthing a silent prayer to the Gods in her mind she settles down deeper
into her sleep as the light from the wick of the candle on the table,
underneath the portrait of the girl, finally burns out. Leaving a smoky
trail that lead to the heavens and on till nighttime as Ranko slept through
the storm.


***
{The next morning}


	The sounds of daylight brought with it the cheerful voices of the birds,
as the frolicked in the branches of the stout trees that lined the walls of
Lotus Temple. 

	Warm gentle light flooded into the room where Ranko lay sleeping on the
bed, from a nearby window. Which found her body resting on its side, her
face to window, covered in the soft sheets of her blanket. 

	The light of the morning sun shining brightly on her face as she blinked
at its brightness. Rising slowly, her arms supporting her wearily off the
bed she looks at the window briefly, letting her mind settle as she tried
to recall the evening's events. Rubbing her eye softly to clear it, she
sits up to a comfortable position then scans the room briefly, finding the
finished bowl of soup under the beautiful girl in the picture. Which she
remembered, though vaguely, haunted her dreams last night, which made her
blush and smile at herself.
 
	Turning to the side of the bed her feet firmly planted on the wooden floor
she stretches her arms in the air and reluctantly stands up off the bed to
dress. Noting that she had only one piece of clothing and she was wearing
it now, rubbing her nose at it's torn and disarrayed pieces, she tries to
fix what she can and be as presentable in it. Finding the washbowl and
towel she quickly cleans up her face up. Once done, she looks back at her
room and begins arranging the blankets, after all she thought, ["I will be
sleeping here...for a while I guess.]


***


	Stepping out of the door that led to her room, she turns to find herself
staring out in a fairly lit corridor. The door to her right leading into
her room with two other doors, spaced away just a few meters apart from
each other, ran along the hallway. Parallel to these doors she noted at the
end of the hallway was an opening and in it a narrow stairway leading down.


	Crossing the distance between her and the steps, she walks down and turns
at an opening, she found herself suddenly staring at an open room. Lined on
either side with chairs and tables of antique design and on the far wall
away from her were two tall doors, currently open and pass then was a
garden and beyond it the forest. Opposite these doors, beside her to the
left was a single table. And on it she saw was a small statue of a golden
Buddha and of other various holy instruments used for prayers and rituals.
On the table was a small pot and in it were three burning incense sticks
which were very fragrant as well as a holy sword that lay on it's side on a
small mount right before the golden statue.
 
	Ranko turns her attention from them to the open courtyard for she suddenly
hears some noises of shouts and grunts and of the pounding of feet on
stone. Walking slowly across the room she leans on the open door then
slowly peers out into the courtyard before her. There she finds Ryouga
practicing his martial arts on a clear floor just a few feet away from her.
Shirtless and covered in sweat, still sporting those white pieces of cloth
on his temples and forearms as he moved from stance to stance, and
sometimes leaping and jumping, throwing punches and kicks into the air.
Ranko watched him for a moment noting every precise motion and form till
finally he pauses in a ready stance letting the wind blow pass his face and
lifting the loose ends of the cloth into the air. His face etched to
hardness as he tried to perfect his art of fighting. Then suddenly letting
go of the tenseness then relaxes then turns to suddenly find her facing as
a sudden moment of awkwardness arises the both fall into silence. 

	Ryouga didn't see or feel her presence till he finally finished his
morning practice that he was still shocked to find her there watching him.
["I guess it wasn't a dream after all."] He thought. ["Well I'm glad."] He
looks up to face her and gives a smile as she saw her smile at him. 

	"Hello" Ranko said a bit softly as she looks at Ryouga curiously.

	"Hello" Ryouga replies, though a bit unsure then quickly turns to pick up
a piece of cloth which he found on the small steps leading into the
courtroom then quickly cleans himself up with it. 

	Ranko in the mean time took this opportunity to step down and sit on the
stone steps. Turning to face the garden. ["How different it is from the
inside. Full of flowers and trees, and...look! ... {Smiling} ... there is
even a pool for water where lotus blossoms could grow."] She thought as she
stared at the rectangular formation before her. 

	With its four small stone pagodas which occupied each corner of the simple
rectangular rock formation that came to about at 2 feet in height and with
a generous amount of surface above for one to sit comfortably on. It was a
stone bench where people could enjoy the blossoms up-close or if one chose
sleep beside them and still have room for another to sit on. 

	The interior of the rectangular pool was filled with water and in it were
small golden colored fish that swam freely underneath the blossoms of the
white lotus flowers that covered most of the center of the rectangular
pool. It was a beautiful sight to see and with it, if the pool wasn't good
enough, just a few meters away were trees and flowers of all sorts. And
beyond this, pass another flight of stone steps was the heart of the forest
itself, lush and full of green while birds flew freely in the air and
forest creatures dwelt freely, grazing in the soft green grass. While the
sun above the forests canopy was a bright ball of fire in the sky.

	"Its beautiful here." Ranko said unconsciously as she gazed at the
surrounding view of the temple court. Which itself was also a sight to see,
strong stout pillars and dragons of gold and silver lined its walls and
roof and hangings while the sign of "Lotus Temple" hung above the tall
wooden doors of the temple, in gilded letters.   

	"Yes it is..." Ryouga said a bit unsure cause to him it was what it was to
him, a temple as he sat across from her on the stone bench of the
rectangular pool. He looks at the forest again and back at Ranko who was
still facing away and looking at the forests. He blushes and turns away
looking at the ground before him. 

	"Lady..." Ryouga called softly, then pauses when Ranko looks at him all a
glow, he coughs then proceeds, saying, "...you must be hungry." Ranko just
nods and smiles, blushing looking down at the ground embarrassed.

	"The food will be ready in a few minutes that is if you don't mind
waiting?"

	"I don't mind." Ranko replies smiling.

	"Good! Ohhh...oh yeah, I almost forgot...uuhhh...umm...wait here." Ryouga
said smiling as he quickly stood up and ran inside the temple, leaving
Ranko to stare as he vanished in it.

	A few minutes later Ryouga returns carrying a small bundle and a long
stick which he hands gently over to Ranko for inspection as he sat down
beside her all the while looking at her.

	"My pack!...but how did you..." 

	"Find it...it was easy enough...after I brought you here last night...I...
went back to the place where I found you, I followed the trail you left
behind and it lead me to an inn. There was this old man, he was grieving, I
don't know why, I didn't ask. He was the one who gave me your things......"
Ryouga pauses when Ranko suddenly fell silent, then he fell silent.

	"Thank you..." Ranko said softly, as the joy she felt a while ago slowly
vanished only to be replaced by last night's memory of a dream that still
haunts her even when she is awake.  

	"I...I'm sorry if I brought that up - I didn't mean to..."

	"No!...{Smile}...Don't be...I mean...I have much to be thankful for, and
if it weren't for you... then...." Ranko said sadly smiling then stops all
together. The joy she held a while ago fading in those slowly forming
tears, which she gently wipes away.

	"Are you... ok?..."Ryouga asked 

	"Yes...I'll be fine."

	"Ok...I guess... I'd better start making breakfast..." Ryouga replies then
stands up to leave.

	"Ryouga..." Ranko calls softly before he vanished inside the temple, "If
you don't mind...I'd like to take a bath and freshen up."

	"Oh, ok ... umm ... That's if...if you don't mind walking - There is a
small spring situated under a shallow grove over there, just beyond those
trees." Ryouga said as he pointed to the direction of the grove. "Do you...
want me to show you where it is?"

	"No...no thank you...I...I want to be alone - for a while..." Ranko said
slowly standing from where she sat on the stone steps which lead to the
temple. 

	"Ok - So I guess...I'll see you later then,"

	"Yes..." Ranko replies softly as Ryouga passes her and disappears inside
the temple.


***
{The Forest}
<Birds singing> 
<The slow rustling of the trees leaves by the wind>


	Ranko is walking slowly on the soft worn path thinking of the past events
that has happened to her so far since her encounter back at the inn. Those
bandits back in the inn and the chase that followed after, then Ryouga
coming to help her. She wonders then, what next could happen to her in this
life. But then, as she continued to walk peacefully amid the trees and the
songs of the birds began registering in her mind those thoughts were
quickly changed as a sudden lightness lifts up her burden and the mood of
her problems. Only then, did she begin to see the forest in a new light,
and she was happy. 

	The birds up in the air, singing their soft sweet music while a deer
freely grazed in the distance, the flowers at bloom and the magnificent sun
in the sky. This was why she left home, to be a scholar, to see the world
around her, to explore it. And she was happy, laughing out of pure joy. 


***
{Back at the Temple, In the Kitchen}


	The heat of the fire wood oven brings the room to a virtual boil, as steam
from the pot's rose, escaping from the few vents in the roof and windows.
Pans hot with boiling oil and frying meat was accompanied by the rhythmic
sounds of the chopping board.   

	["I made her upset by what I said when I told happened back at the inn? I
should go ask her about it, but...No it is none of my business, not now
when she is sad and hurt."] Ryouga thought silently as he chopped the
vegetables for their evening meal. ["Master could help me then when he
arrives, then I might get some answers as to what I'm feeling right now.
There were so many things that master talked about that I couldn't
understand, guess that's why I get lost most off the time."] Ryouga turns
away from the vegetables to check on the steamed dumplings he was preparing
then quickly pulling out a burned finger when he touched the hot surface,
once done with it he resumes preparing the meal. 

	["Now what did I forget? Oh yeah, the wine, let me see...ah here they
are...Ahhh."] Ryouga goes to the wine pots on a corner then checks the
first one he sees and discovers it empty. Taking another one, he got the
same result, then a next one and the next until he covered each pot, making
no hesitation to pop the lid to check and each one was empty. 

	["Damn, no more, better get some quickly for the master when he gets back,
he has this particular skill of arriving when you didn't want him to.
Better hurry though.{looking at through the window outside}] And with that
thought, Ryouga  rushes out of the temple carrying only an empty gourd and
some coins to buy wine for his master and new friend. Pausing outside of
the temple on a deserted field Ryouga thought, ["Now...where was that town
supposed to be again?...Ohh yeah...that way." Ryouga heads off into the
forest, leaping from tree to tree heading for the mountains."]


***
{Back in the forest}


	Ranko has just arrived at the spot where Ryouga said it would be, and it
was everything that Ryouga said and more, it was just perfect and
relatively secluded.  Its clear water rippling under the shade of large
moss covered rocks that in itself was like a small roof over the alcove
while some of it was smoothed over by the water that freely fell from above
in a small film- like curtain which gathered inside the clear pool. 

	Surrounded on all sides by a thick wall of bushes and trees. While on the
shore grew all sorts beautiful flowers of reds, greens and yellows and the
forest canopy above affording only a small hole for the sunlight to pass
through, bathing the whole scene in a golden shimmer of light while making
the pool itself cool and inviting. Stepping close to the edge of the pool
Ranko steps slowly disrobes her torn and dirty clothes as she willing steps
into the cool clear waters of the shallow pool. 


***
{Somewhere in the mountains}


	Ryouga is walking slowly back from his trip into town. ["Took quite a
while to get there though...but I did it, the sun is almost high, maybe
just a few more hours or so. Oh well. Though I wonder who she is. Why am I
suddenly thinking of her? Ohhh...I don't know, I don't even know her name,
never was used to this..."] Ryouga stops to look at the surrounding
countryside then pauses to consider his thoughts. ["Hmmm...Now where was I
supposed to go? Ohh yeah...back to the temple...uhh...hmmm...back to the
temple...ehh...yeah... that's the way... right? ...or...uhh...umm...or
maybe that..."] After quite some time Ryouga resumes his walk.


***
{Back in the pool}

	Standing waist deep in water in the middle of the pool Ranko is cooling
herself up and washing her body as she thought suddenly of home and of her
adventures. Thinking of her parents especially her mother, how she sang
that sweet lullaby to her when she was about to sleep or when she was
afraid of the ghosts in her room, and unconsciously, she begins to hum that
soft joyful tune that her mother used to sing to her. And she is lost to
the swirl of memories and to the song as she continued to bathe under the
suns gentle light. ["How long must I live this lie? Playing two different
people is easy enough when you have another body. It's just that, I don't
want them to find out my secret."] Ranko thought as she remembered how much
trouble her curse really is in her/his life but just continues to hum that
soft tune and finds her troubles lightened at the thought of home and
before all this. 


***
{Somewhere}


	["Damn Old man, if only he taught me as well of directions then I wouldn't
be in this damn place!!!...Huhhh...hmmm...huh if only he were here he could
help me out with my problems. And I wish he didn't drink too much also,
then I could be back at the temple and not lost here in the middle of no
where!"] Ryouga thought as he juggled the gourd, now full of wine, in his
hands, bouncing it from hand to hand, tossing and shaking till finally on a
miss toss it fumbles and slips out off his hands. ["Oh No! Please don't
break, please don't break, please don't break...AaaHHHaH"] The gourd goes
soaring through the air as Ryouga quickly dashed to catch it. ["Can't let
it break!"] Running he suddenly leaps into the air and catches the gourd in
his hands. ["Gotcha! ... Uhhh ... Aaaaahhhhhhhh"] The next thing he knows
is that he is falling and that trees were rushing up to greet him. ["This
is going to hhuuurrrtt!"]...  

***
{Back at the pool}


	Ranko turns to the sound of the birds suddenly flying in the air and of
the sounds of branches breaking, looking out into the forest to check she
decides it was nothing and resumes her bath.


***	
{We find Ryouga flat on his back, covered with a few leaves and a branch}


	...["Ohh...<groan>... my head...Damn old man, even when he is away - he
still makes my life miserable! Oww...cuts and bruises...luckily no broken
bones...damn! Should have been more careful and ... huh? ... What's that
sound? ...Singing...coming from where?"] Ryouga thought as he picked
himself up from the heap he just created a while ago. 

	Following the sound as though entranced by it, he slowly creeps along the
forest floor, ducking behind trees and tall bushes. Wanting desperately not
to be seen or heard as the yearning to know what has caught his attention
like a hand gripping his throat as he crawled deeper into the forest till
he finally comes before a tall wall of bushes and judging the source to be
near. He cautiously parts a small portion of the leaves that was blocking
his view. 

	There in the middle of the lake, waist deep in water stood Ranko, bathing
under the shower of sunlight as she slowly and gently gathered water around
her to cleanse herself. Her long red hair undone, wet from the water of the
lake, was held back from her face as the rays of sunlight glistened on the
soft contours of her smooth skin. Her back still facing him and eyes closed
in deep meditative thought, unaware of the prying eyes in the bush as she
ducked underneath the shower of the cool flowing water falling from above.
Letting it slide across her delicate body and into the cool inviting pool. 

	Once he saw what was behind the curtain of green, he gasps and ducks back
behind surprised. ["It's her! In the pool...and Ulp! ... uhhhh...ummmm..."]
Ryouga thought between gasp but was not able to finish the trail of thought
suddenly immerging from the inner most recesses of his mind. And as much as
wants to end it and apologize his curiosity gets the better of him and
cautiously he looks back at the waiting bush as though deciding on what to
do. Then finally deciding after a while (which wasn't very long) and with
firm resolve he cautiously rises and parts again the veil of leaves and
watches in evident fascination at the beauty in the lake for just one more
quick peek. And then regretfully though dreamily he backs away from the
bush. Looking away and into the forest but glances back at the wall of
leaves still in that dream like trance and still unconscious of the branch
that was caught in his sleeve.

	 So it comes as a shock surprise when the branch suddenly tore loose from
his sleeve. Recoiling to hit him squarely in the face snapping his
attention back and in pain. He rubs his nose where it hit him and in
evident annoyance looks back at the waving branch before him. Looking at
briefly he pauses for a moment as the branch swayed in the air pointing
directly at him as it moved up and down he looks up at the sky above him,
suddenly fearing devine retribution for his sin. ["Sorry God ... hehe ...
ulp! ... uhmmm ... I'll go now."] Ryouga mouths a silent prayer then
proceeds to leave by the same way he came in.


***    
{The Pool}
	

	Ranko sat there in the middle of the lake, oblivious to the world around
her as she sat there contemplating on what to do now. She could go on with
her travels, now that she had all her things with her she thought. But she
wasn't sure if that was such a good idea. She frowned at her indecision
then finally concludes in asking Ryouga if it was ok for her to stay even
just for a little while longer just enough time to finish her studies. 

	The forest she thought would provide enough inspiration for her writings
and that if there is a nearby town somewhere then she could probably sell
them and get some money in return. The problem though was, she thought.
["Where am I going? All this time I've followed my heart and it lead me to
numerous other encounters. Some of which I would like soon to forget. And
who is she? That girl in the painting, why does it feel as though I know
her."] She gave up thinking about it and suddenly turns her head to a
sudden noise in the air. There, in a flurry of feathers she sees a small
black bird disappear in the bright blue sky. ["That's odd, never thought
ravens came this far..."] She shrugs it off and with a short sigh, rises
out of the water to get dressed.


***
{Back at the Temple - Evening}


	Ranko and Ryouga are sitting across from each other in front of the
temple. Ranko sat on the stone bench while Ryouga preferred to sit silently
across from her on the stone steps that led into the temple in silent
thought, as to what, Ranko could not even guess. So she leaves him at that
as she slowly rises of the bench and begins to walk around it, a hand on
the rough stone pagoda statue as she stared up at the stars in the bright
night sky. Wondering of the events this passed morning. 

	The afternoon came quietly she thought a brief tour of the temple and a
nice lunch then Ryouga leaving for his habitual practice and meditation.
Giving the excuse that he had to clear some of his thoughts and reflect,
though what he meant by that she didn't know even then she tried to inquire
as to what troubled him but always she got the same reply - nothing. She
just watched him go into the temple and she on the other hand, left to
pursue some writing done. Then night came easily enough, after they had
their dinner, which was mostly of rise and vegetables, Ranko thought it
would be a good idea to go outside and talk. Though it did cost her to
enough time just trying to convince Ryouga to come, both still not
accustomed to each others company and Ranko thought it would nice to break
the ice some what and was finally glad when Ryouga agreed even though some
what reluctantly.   
	
	Ryouga sat there quietly, all this time thinking of what to do or what to
say. ["What would Master do in a situation like this?"] He gave up thinking
on it as he saw her suddenly rise and circle the lotus pool staring up at
the stars in the sky as he followed her gaze at it. Stars... has it been
this long and late already? 

	Ryouga recalled spending some time in silent thought and meditation about
this all afternoon though it didn't go too well as he hoped it would. And
as an apprentice monk, he should have spent more of his time on studying
the holy books but instead he concentrated more on perfecting his fighting
skill. Which brought some harsh words from his master at his
inattentiveness. ["Should have listened more to the master. Ohh...But what
would Holy Scriptures do me now?"] Ryouga thought again as he glanced at
her again, ["Such grace and movement and her...che..uhhh...umm"] Ryouga
smothers the rest away, muttering in silence of what to do. Then looks at
her again and when their eyes suddenly met she turns away smiling and he
blushing uncontrollably. 

	"Is it always this peaceful this late at night?"

	Ryouga only nods in acknowledgement still unsure of what to say as he sees
her bathed in glow of the moons light and thought that she looked even more
beautiful than ever. Then blushes again at the thought. ["Thank God for the
night's darkness!"] 

	"When the moon is especially full such as this one, I used to think that I
was the only one here. For I could hear my own heart beat in the silence." 
	
	Ranko doesn't comment on this but resumes her silent walk around the lotus
pond and sits on the bench facing him then leans on the pagoda statue as
she rested her feet up on the stone bench. Then sighs in appreciation as a
gentle breeze passed by closing her eyes in appreciation of its coolness.

	Ryouga in the mean time just watches as she sat there on the bench. He
looks at the ground before him shortly, then after a while looks at her
again. This time with a short smile on his face as he said,

	"All this time you haven't given me your name."

	"You never asked." Ranko tells him softly her eyes still closed in
thought.

	Ryouga smiles in self-amusement then proceeds in asking, "What's your
name?" 
 
	At this question Ranko pauses for a moment in silent thought then finally
she looks at him and smiles saying " Ranko, Saotome Ranko"

	"Ranko." Ryouga repeats. "That's a nice name." 

	Ranko just smiles at this. Though she didn't lie - it just wasn't the
actual truth. She just wanted to make sure that Ranma and Ranko were two
entirely different people. 

	"Ryouga..." Ranko called softly

	"Yes."

	"...If...if you don't mind me asking. What happened when you first found
me?"

	"About those thugs?"

	Ranko nods "Mmm...hhm"

	"Well there isn't much to tell actually {he looks at Ranko to see if there
was anything wrong then procedes in narrating}, Well we fought in that
clearing. They were almost upon you when I first interfered, there were
some small talk between me and the leader - well I don't know if he was -
though in the end it got to a fight, and I won when they all took it that
they've had enough. I let them go when they fled, trying to escape in the
forest. I wanted to give chase but then, when I saw your still form there
on the ground - I brought you here."

	Ranko just nods sadly.

	"Why... is something wrong?"

	"No - as much...(a slight pause when she looks at the ground)...as much as
it hurts thinking that they tried to hurt me...I...I didn't want any blood
shed for my sake or any one else's. Ryouga...I..."

	"I understand," Ryouga said quite sympathetically.

	"Really?"

	"Yes...really - You have a gentle heart and I admire that. You could pass
off as a very good monk." Ryouga said smiling.

	"No..." Ranko said softly. 

	After a shared moment of silence between them letting the clouds overhead
slowly drift in the sky which slowly began to cover the bright full moon
with a touch of grayness. Giving the atmosphere in the temple garden a much
darker feel. When Ranko broke the silence...

	"I...I wanted to ask you...about that painting - In my room. Who is she?
Is she a friend of yours?"

	"No - My master was given that painting...years ago by a friend of his. I
don't know why he gave it. But the girl in that painting...well, the people
in the near-by villages tells of it as a legend. A tragedy of some sort,
that happened over a 100 years ago. 

	You see... there was this beautiful young maiden who lived in a nearby
village. Well this village was, at that time, at war with another. So in
order to stop the bloodshed it was arranged that she be married to this
very rich man who happen to live across those mountains over there. {Ryouga
said pointing in the distance at the mountains} Their marriage was supposed
to unite those two warring villages in peace.
 
	Well, during their journey to the rich mans house, the people said that
the group escorting the girl was suddenly attacked by demons. And that
during the conflict the girl managed to escape this surprise attack by
running deep inside the forest, but the demon's still pursued her till
finally in a moments desperation, she finally comes across a steep cliff
with a running waterfall and jumped. Some say she drowned while others say
that the demons carried her off to be the concubine of their dark lord,
others still just speculate that she killed herself in some other way. The
legend doesn't tell of this and is very vague though people say, her ghost
is still running away but sometimes when it is late at night, like this
one, she could be seen walking under the brightness of the full moon."

	"That's sad..." Ranko said softly.

	Ryouga just nods in agreement.

	"What does the legend say now." Ranko asks inquisitively.  

	"Still running I guess, though I'm not to sure, the legends doesn't tell
any of that."

	They fall silent at that then Ranko turns away, looking back at the stars
and the full moon in the sky. Slowly being covered by dark moving clouds.

	"So you've lived your whole life here in this temple?"

	"Yes."

	"With your Master?"

	"Yes"

	"All this time...it must've been lonely."

	"No...Not really, the Master treats me all right, and he has been almost
like a father to me. He took care of me and adopted me as his own."

	"What about your parents? Don't you miss them?"

	Ryouga pauses for a moment then stands, walks to the far corner of the
lotus pool then turns looking at the ground saying "My parents died a long
time ago of a certain illness the healers couldn't cure, I was very young
then. They looked really pale and could hardly even speak to me. When they
passed away, I was given to the care of my Master. It seems that he was I
close personal friend of the father." 

	When Ranko turns her head to look at him as she listened to him narrate
his story all the while feeling a sense of genuine pain radiating out from
him. ["Telling this must hurt him so much. I shouldn't have brought it
up..."] she thought. 

"I'm sorry if I brought that uh..."

	"No. Don't be...I mean, it's all in the past right...I've gotten over it" 

	Ryouga smiles, though some what forced as he sat down on the hard stone
bench, falling deathly silent as he stared at the ground before him in a
somewhat confused manner. Seeing this Ranko walks over to him and sat
beside him, watching him silently. The wind blowing his long hair as some
moisture seeped out from his eyes as he tried to force it away by closing
them tighter.

	Ryouga after some time finally composes himself and stands up, turning
around to face her.

	"You must be tired, and it is getting late..." Ryouga said softly leaving
the unanswered question behind.

	"Are you sure you will be alright?" Ranko asked some what concerned. 

	"Yes...I will be. You should get some rest."

	"Aren't you coming back inside?"

	"I'll be in, in a little while...I...I just need time to think, that's
all." Ryouga said with a forced smile. And Ranko knew it.

	"Ok...If that's what you want." Ranko said softly turning to enter the
temple but before she vanished through the doors she quickly turns around
and gives Ryouga a reassuring smile then vanishes inside.


***
	

	Ryouga watches her as she stepped inside the temple, vanishing from sight
yet the feeling that accompanied her leaving brought out a sudden yearning
for her company, a small knot of emotion, which he quickly strangles down.
Turning around quickly to avoid looking at the temple doors, he found
himself gazing up at the stars. ["Why did you leave me?"] Ryouga thought
suddenly, not to sure by what he meant by that then sighs regretfully as he
sat down on the stone bench, leaning on the rough stone pagoda, unconcerned
and unaware of his surroundings as he stared blankly at the ground before
him. 

***


	Ranko dresses quietly into a soft pink robe. Its worn out sleeves running
up to the length of her elbows while the rest of it came just a few inches
above her knees as a make shift skirt. All the while thinking silently of
the days events as she finally tied it off securely with a piece of white
clothe which served as a belt. 

	Finished with her clothes, she turns and walks over to the bed and sits
comfortably down, bringing her long red hair around and started to gently
comb back its loose ends. Stroking it carefully as if each gentle brush
stroke eased some of the tension she felt welling up inside her. Looking
blankly at it for a while still in that haven of thought, the light from
the nearby candle beside the bed suddenly flickered in the wind. Playing
shadows on her then suddenly going out in a pillar of rising gray smoke. 

	Ranko, her thoughts suddenly broken by the blackening of the room, quickly
turns her attention to the candle on top of the table by the bedside.
Seeing this out, she quickly scans the entire room, dimly lit by the full
moon from outside, now suddenly fearful of the unseen eyes. For that much
she felt, for the room itself was a touch colder and less inviting than it
was before. Grabbing a blanket from the bed, she brought it closer to her
chest as she scans the room again briefly before standing up to carefully
go to the candle and light it again. 

	Stepping softly on the hard wood floor she feels a sudden chill crawl up
her leg as the wind gently passed by. She ignores it though and heads to
the table to light the candle, taking a match out from one of its drawers
to light it with trembling hands. The fire from the match sparked to life
then danced and swayed as a gentle breeze passed by, which she shields from
as she lights the candle on top of the table. Now lighted, she smiles then
lifts it up to chest level, watching the fire dance on the wick then
notices something in a corner of her eye as a small shadow played on the
wall. Turning around she suddenly finds herself staring at a pair of
gleaming red eyes as it lunges her after her, her scream coming out only to
be muffled by a clawed hand as she is suddenly pushed to the far wall. The
candle she held so briefly fell to the ground, bouncing once then twice
then finally resting on the ground. Its fire dead even before it touched
the ground. 


***
	

	Ryouga is still outside the temple when his thoughts were suddenly broken
by a loud high-pitched scream that came from inside the temple itself.

	"Ranko!" Ryouga said in surprise as he leaped off of his seat and in to a
dead run then through the temple doors headed for Rankos' room, but not
before he picked up his umbrella beside the altar from which he left it.
And once he got there, standing in the long hallway, he barges through the
door and steps inside the room, then stops in mid stride, readying his
bamboo umbrella in front of him as he saw the abomination before him. 

	The abomination, stooped over Ranko's unconscious form was a man - no not
a man, but a creature that resembled a man, with its long sinewy arms and
legs, packed with muscle and covered in some parts by bandages and what
seemed to be old pieces of armor and rotting cloth. It also wore a conical
hat just like Ryouga wears when he goes out at night, with its unique
circular opening up top where its hair came out, tied in a bun. And when it
turned around to face him, it showed a face more bone than flesh with eyes
as red as blood it that it surely craved. But not now it seemed as it gave
a slight smile to him then turns its attention away to the task at hand as
though Ryouga was of no importance at all what so ever. Brushing him aside
as it inserted both hands under Rankos' unconscious form then cradling her
in the hollow of its arms to take her. Seeing this, Ryouga dashes forward
to stop him, but is stopped dead in his tracks by a sudden force of wind
emanating from the creature as it scooped up Rankos' body in its arms
unhindered as Ryouga desperately blocked its attack with both arms crossed
over his face. His eyes fighting the wind to see the abomination as its
eyes suddenly brightened in the dark in an eerie red glow as it fully
turned to face him, levitating off the ground a cynical smile painted on
its face as he laughed at him. And just as suddenly, the wind force that
held him suddenly died making him stumble forward on his own momentum which
he took as an advantage as he uses this force to lunge after man as it fled
through the wall and with him, Ranko. All the while smiling at him with the
sureness that it already tasted victory as it vanished entirely. 

	Ryouga stops himself as he saw the abomination vanish through the wall
then quickly looks out the window. And sure enough there he sees it,
looking back up at him with that devilish smile then turns to look at Ranko
then back at him as he completely turns around to run back to the forest.
Ryouga alarmed, wastes no time in launching himself air born through the
window and down to the concrete floor below as he went after the creature
in the dead of the night, headed for the forest and to who knows what. 


***


	Leaping from tree to tree, he felt along his way for the presence of the
abomination, trying to feel him out in the darkness of the forest as what
his Master taught him to do during his training as a monk. This was what
his Master prepared him for, to fight ghost and monsters, making sure that
they kept to their side of the world as men did theirs, and he was good at
it. 

	["Should have been more careful. How could I have gotten so careless, I
knew bringing her here would be a mistake, I shouldn't have...I should have
listened to the master more carefully..."] Ryouga thought. But forces it to
end there as he concentrated harder, planning out his rescue. ["...There
was no time to take blames now, there would be time enough when he rescued
Ranko...that's if...NO!"] Ryouga forces the thought out of his head.
["Concentrate..."] Yet the fear made him more desperate as it is, and he
hated that, as he monk, he knew things about the spirit world, the things
that could happen. And death was the least thing to worry about in such an
event did occur. Focusing on the task ahead of him, he kicks yet another
branch to stay air born, seeking out the demon that took Ranko. 
	
	Crashing head long into a vale of white as he lands on a branch, looking
out ahead of him to no avail. All he could see was white and the branch
below him.
 
	["Fog?"]

	Anger boiled in him as the fog that suddenly appeared surrounded him then
took solid form just as suddenly in the manner of long tendrils of smoke, a
hands width in thickness, that battered and tried to grab him from where he
perched. Leaping off the branch a few seconds away from being batted away
by a log thick tendril, Ryouga brings his umbrella into play. Bringing it
close to his chest to block the splinters from the now shattered tree trunk
as he hovered in the air, slowly descending into the formlessness of the
fog below.

	["Damn ghost and your black magic!"] Ryouga thought. As he swatted away an
attack aimed for his head then parried yet another coming straight for his
chest. Each succeeding attack coming in faster and faster as he spun and
parried with the umbrella blocking each consecutive attack. Opening his
umbrella as he descended down into the chaos below. He used the umbrella's
sharp circular edge as a mean cutting blade he sliced his way down until he
finally touches solid ground. Then just as suddenly leaps away from it as a
log thick arm of fog crashed and lifted, to reveal a deep hollow pit where
his body had been. Ryouga, with one knee bent, ready in an open stance with
one arm in front while the other that held the umbrella drew up high over
his head and back as if to throw the thing at the chaotic mass that was the
fogs core. 

	The fog then explodes in a shower of tendrils that arced over head then
came crashing down on top of him. Leaping aside as he follows up with a
series of cross slashes coupled with blocks and parries as he tried to fend
off the continuous flow of attacks from the fog. Each severing cut he
delivered on it only formed back again to resume its attack. And realizing
this he tried desperately to fend off the attacks as he leaped off the
ground and onto a branch high over head, the tendrils coming after him as
he lifted up into the air. Closing the umbrella as he landed on the branch.
He bites hard on his pointing finger, making it bleed as he used that
finger as a pen to write on his other hand some symbols as he recited verse
after verse of holy scriptures as he finally brought his both palms
together as if to pray. And once the incantations and verses were recited
he opens up both palms outward, directed at the screaming arms of the
formless body of the fog as he hurled burst after burst of white ki energy
at the creature. Each blast exploding and destroying the fogs deathly arms
as it died with a high-pitched scream that blended in with each explosion
of ki energy. Exhausted, he notes that the fog hasn't cleared up yet with
the destruction of the fog beast, yet it was thinner by comparison from a
while ago as he picks himself up off the branch. His breath came in short
quick breaths that he drew in greedily as he looks out into the forest from
where he stood on top of the branch.

	 "Where are you?" Ryouga spoke softly as he surveyed the area. And once
his breathing normalized did he leap off of the branch then again continued
to survey the scene before him - empty. No sign of the demon anywhere and
just as he was about to move on. His instincts brought his umbrella to
block a gleaming silver sword that would have cleaved his head in half if
he hadn't been paying attention. 

	The sword with its short thick curved blade and tasseled hilt came
swooping pass his head as he deflected it away. Flew then turned for
another pass, this time aimed for his chest which he blocked it with the
umbrella just as another one came rushing out still directed for his chest.
Back flipping to avoid the coming blade, he collapses his flip to land on
his back with legs straight on top of him as the blade zooms pass on top of
him. He then quickly pushes back hard on the ground with his arms to flip
back into a squat and into a roll ending up into a readied stance, with his
umbrella held like a sword in front of him. Waiting for the next coming
strike. Which did not come. Slowly he rose up to stand still waiting for
those blades to appear from out of the thickets of the forest. That he is
caught of guard when out of the ground, two skeletal hands grabs both his
ankles and drags him under ground as he tried desperately to get free. It
was a hopeless struggle as he was pulled unwilling into the ground and
below the surface. 

	The quite of the forest was shattered by a sudden explosion as dust and
soil alike were hurled away from Ryouga who rose up straight into the air
screaming. Glad at last to be free of the confines of mother earth as he
lands on the surface to face the demon before him. Studying him carefully
as he noted the creatures imposing form. Dressed in what he noted was a
ninja uniform, a katana was strapped to his back he glared at Ryouga
through the rim of his conical hat. Standing there with his side turned
towards him as well as part of his back. Its eyes glowing bright red in the
darkness of the forest as Ryouga prepared to fight not only for his life,
but of Ranko's as well. 

	"YOU HAVE INTERFERED LONG ENOUGH MONK." The ninja spoke softly, it voice
echoing within the confines of the forests interior as it continued to
stare at him with those blood glowing eyes. 

"Where is Ranko?" Ryouga demanded.

"SHE IS OF NO CONCERN TO YOU."

"She is of concern to me! I brought her here, now where is she!"

"SUCH EMOTIONS ARE UNBECOMING OF YOU MONK, HAVE YOU FINALLY TURNED FROM
YOU'RE GOD? THAT YOU WOULD HAVE HER INSTEAD OF HIM." The demon laughed at
him. 

Ryouga, stood there perplexed at this reply. ["Had he abandoned his God?"]

"WE ARE MUCH ALIKE, YOU AND I, COME. TURN AWAY FROM HIM, AND YOU CAN HAVE
HER." He said. 

	And just as he said "HER", Ranko appears beside him. Dressed in a long
soft, very thin, silk white robe that hid only a fraction of her beautiful
body. Standing there, with hands drawn to her sides as she stood alluringly
still letting the wind form and sculpt the robe around her delicately
curved body. Her face showed a touch of make-up that only enhanced her
features more as her long red hair flew back in soft gentle waves with the
wind. 

	Ryouga stood there entranced as he gazed at Ranko who slowly walked
towards him, placing a soft hand on his chest when she got close as he
continued to stare at her open-mouthed. Her lips parted slightly as she
drew a hand behind his head as she rose up on tiptoe to draw him closer for
a kiss. All the while the demon stood there smiling at him. 

	And he wakes up from the trance. There was no Ranko beside him and only
the demon ninja stood there before him. Anger radiating slightly from him.
Then anger boiled in him an anger he directed and channeled as he focused
his attention on the demon ninja. ["How could I have let him place that
spell over me! I will not be caught off guard again, NO! Never..."]        

	"NO! I AM NOT LIKE YOU!" Ryouga shouts at the demon as he launched himself
into battle. Bringing in forth all the training he could muster into his
assault. The demon abandons his spell on Ryouga as he draws out his katana
to counter Ryougas' attack. Matching him blow for blow, strike for strike
as they shifted from ground to air and ground again. Each looking for an
advantage as they once again crossed each other in mid-air their weapons
clashing as the crossed weapons then retreats back to the ground. The ninja
leaping above for an overhead strike determined to end the fight now as
Ryouga drew his to block the attack. Swords fly out from the shadows of the
thickets to which Ryouga managed to avoid except one. The sword catching
him on his sword arm as it gave a clean cut. Pain shot through his whole
arm just as the demon ninja connects his sword upon the umbrella. The force
of the contact sends his umbrella flying as Ryouga back flips for cover
just as the demon followed up with a horizontal slash to the chest.

	Unarmed and wounded, Ryouga backs away from the demon as he took out a few
pieces of his bandannas off his head while the demon just stood there
watching him while Several swords flew all around him.

"WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW MONK?" the demon taunted him.

	Ryouga stood there silent as he tried to steady himself, his wounded arm
holding tightly on the pieces of cloth he held while the other gripped his
wounded arm tightly to stop the bleeding which slowly soaked the bandanas
red with his blood. Ryouga recited a few verses from the scriptures,
praying as he gazed into the face of death with stoic determination.

	"IT IS TIME!" and with that said, the demon sends forth a rain of swords
to impale him. Gliding with the sureness of thought, controlled by desire,
and filled with hate they flew straight for the heart of Ryouga.

	Ryouga on sudden impulse, throws the blood soaked bandanas at the
streaking projectiles coming towards him. Hope flew with those red circular
bands of cloth, which from crimson to his surprise as well as of the demons
turned to brilliant white. Like gleaming angelic halos, that deflected and
destroyed all but one of the piercing swords. There was just not enough to
block them all, that this one got through to slice Ryouga across the thigh.
Making him fall to the ground in pain, the sword that cut him, only inches
apart from his face.

	"I HAVE YOU!" the demon said following up on his initial attack with arms
over head and dark blade pointed at him. Eyes gleaming for the kill.

	Ryouga grabs the fallen sword beside him and throws himself at the demon.
What followed was a heartbeat of silence as the sword drove forward for the
kill.

	Long they stood there, the demon ninja poised over the form of Ryouga
whose sword stuck out from behind the demons back. Who slowly let go of the
sword it held, letting it drop on the ground with him following there
after.

	Ryouga remained in that pose even after the demon corpse evaporated into
dust then falling himself. Breathing hard and alive. ["Alive!"] his mind
thought out loud as he gathered his strength to rise when the thought of
what brought him here, comes into mind.

"RANKO!"

	Scrambling up to his feet, he scans the area for any sign of Ranko and
sure enough he spots her in a small clearing. He quickly runs to her side
as fast as he could go, fearful that he could be too late. For she was
deathly pale and cold as he took her hand in his and tried to feel for a
pulse. At first there was nothing he could feel only his own desperation.
{"Please...please be all right"] he prayed, then slowly he felt it as if it
had coursed through his, own veins. It grew stronger and with it came hope,
and he was glad. Picking her body up off the soft cold ground, cradling her
in his arms, suddenly fearful of letting her go when the voice of the demon
rang inside his head again with that mocking tone. 

["Who will you choose?"]

"I don't know." Ryouga said as he looked at Ranko whose head lay upon his
shoulder sleeping soundly.

	He looks back out into the forests interior then turns around as he made
his way back towards Lotus Temple.
     



      
-End of Chapter Two-

-Next Chapter-



-Of Different Worlds-
  



*All comments and flames accepted though please note that this is my first
fanfic. Your comments would be greatly appreciated, as it will help me
improve this story. Please send all flames and comments to:
becknkal@addax.bc.ca thanks!

or you could check out this web site where I will post some of my works.
http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/temple/9371

*Authors note: I got this Ranma 1/2 fanfic inspiration from the movie "A
Chinese Ghost Story" and as much as I would like to stick to the original
story. I must differ from it because of the characters "changes" and
besides I can't duplicate such a great story. To all those who haven't seen
the movie, Watch it! It is a GREAT film. Anyway, thanks for taking the time
to read this.