THE PRESENCE OF EVIL
by June "KaraOhki" Geraci
June 12, 1998
mailto:karaohki@snet.net

This story is the result of a suggestion put out on FFML: 'What if Ranma
really WAS an evil sorcerer?'

I've never written anything remotely dark before, especially something
that isn't intended to bring Ranma and Akane together, so this has been
a challenge.

Oops, almost forgot the legal stuff....
Takahashi created Ranma, not me.  This story is intended for
entertainment, not commercial purposes.







                       THE PRESENCE OF EVIL

                                By

                             KaraOhki


                            Chapter 1

"Akane, you forgot your lunch!"

Akane's ponytail flew behind her as she ran back to her sister, flushing
slightly.

"Sorry, Kasumi."

Kasumi patted Akane's cheek, and smiled at her.

"That's the third time this week.  Is something distracting you?"

Akane's flush became more pronounced.

"No, I'm just absent-minded.  See you later!"

As Akane vanished around the corner, her sister smiled.  Akane was a
lousy liar.  If Kasumi read the signs right, her sister was in love.
Kasumi was about to re-enter the house when she saw the mailman coming.

"Father, there's a postcard for you."

Soun Tendo accepted the card from Kasumi, glancing briefly at the
picture.  A panda.  Who would send him a picture of a panda?  He flipped
the card over, and read:

"Bringing Ranma from China.  Saotome."

Soun wiped his eyes.  "It's about time", he thought.

*****

"Here she comes!"

"May the best man win!"

The morning battle at the gates of Furinkan High commenced.  Male
students went flying in all directions as Akane plowed through them.
Within second she stood in the center of a sea of bodies, fists
clenched.

"I HATE BOYS!!!!"

Akane watched as the boys lying at her feet began to pick themselves up
and enter the school. Despite appearances, Akane was careful not to
inflict too much physical damage upon her opponents.  She retrieved her
bag, and whirled as a voice came from behind her.  The last stragglers
hurried into the school.  The last place they wanted to be was in the
middle of a fight between Tatewaki Kuno and Akane Tendo.

"Akane Tendo, I challenge you!"

Akane backed up a few steps, then turned and ran around the side of the
school toward a stand of trees, Kuno following closely behind her.
Akane dropped her bag, and took up a defensive stance.  Kuno dropped his
bokken, seized Akane, and kissed her passionately.  Akane's arms
wound around Kuno's neck, and her fingers strayed into his hair as she
returned his kiss.  After a while, she reluctantly drew back, and
stroked his cheek tenderly.

"How much time do we have, Ta-chan?"

"Only a minute or two, Akane-chan, but any time I can spend with you is
precious to me."

The pair settled down on the grass, holding hands.

*****

Nabiki smirked as the door opened, and Kuno ran into the classroom with
a minute to spare.  His hair was a mess, there were grass stains on his
shirt, and he looked dazed.

"Did my little sister beat you up again, Kuno-baby?"

Down the hall, Akane hadn't been as fortunate.  She stood outside her
classroom, holding two buckets of water.  Akane had a look of total fury
on her face, and the students sitting close to the door could hear her
muttering to herself.

"I am going to kill that idiot!  He made me late AGAIN!"

Inside, one of the girls whispered to another.

"It's just not fair, you know.  The richest boy in the school falls for
the one girl who can't stand him.  I wish he'd give up and pay attention
to one of us!"

Her friend could only agree.

"Especially since Akane's already engaged, even if she's never met her
fiance."

*****

Akane let Nabiki talk her into stopping for ice cream on their way home.
It wasn't often that her sister offered to treat.  It was raining
lightly when they left the shop, to see everyone looking up
the street with expressions ranging from fear to amazement.  There was a
red-headed barefoot girl running toward them, accompanied by a huge
panda. As they approached, the crowd scrambled for cover.  Akane,
however, was too curious to do so, and smiled as the girl stopped next
to her.

"Pardon me, but can you tell me how to get to the Tendo Dojo?"

"Follow me, I live there."

The girl's expression changed to one of complete chagrin.

"Are you Akane Tendo?"

"Yes."

Akane was surprised to see the girl cover her face with her hands.

"Damn, I blew it!"


                            CHAPTER 2

Mr. Tendo was too excited to notice the presence of four in the hallway,
rather than the two he expected.

"Akane!  Wonderful news!  Your fiance is coming!"

Akane took the proffered card, and read it.

"This was postmarked a week ago, Daddy.  He should be here any day now."

Mr. Tendo suddenly became aware of how crowded the entryway was.  The
panda seemed to overwhelm him, and he looked to the girl for an
explanation.  She hung her head, looking terribly embarrassed.

"Mr. Tendo, I'm Ranma Saotome.  Sorry about this."

Akane couldn't speak at all for a moment, and then found her tongue.

I'm engaged to a GIRL?"

*****

Akane kept rubbing her eyes, unable to believe what she'd seen.  Where
there had been a girl and a panda were now a boy and an older man, who
was obviously his father.  Soun had immediately recognized the man to be
his old friend, Genma Saotome, and had burst into tears and embraced
him.

Ranma hadn't said a word after he'd asked for the hot water, and poured
it over himself and his father.  All he did was stare at Akane, getting
redder and redder.

Kasumi, always the one to be able to handle awkward situations, was
already pouring tea, and invited everyone to the table.  After they were
settled, Ranma began talking.

"Pop and I have been traveling for a long time, training.  Our last stop
was China.  We did a little training here and there, and then Pop told
me it was time to come home, to meet my fiancee."

I'd known about you for a long time, Akane, but I guess I was a little
shy.  I wanted to put off meeting you for a little longer.  I'd heard
about a training ground called Jusenkyo, and asked Pop if we could go
there first.  It was the dumbest decision I've ever made."

Akane listened intently as Ranma described our he and his father had
become cursed, and then watched as he demonstrated how he could switch
gender using hot and cold water.  Akane's heart hurt for Ranma, because
it was evident that he expected rejection from her and her family, and
what she had to tell him would make him believe that he had been.

Akane was willing to accept Ranma as a friend, but not as a fiance.  She
loved Tatewaki Kuno, and had promised to be his wife.  They'd kept their
relationship a secret until she could face her mysterious fiance� and
tell him the truth, and now the time had come.  Akane started to speak,
but Ranma turned directly to her and smiled shyly.

"I didn't want to come here after I got cursed, Akane.  I was so scared
of how you would react.  But Pop forced me to, and here I am."

Ranma's voice dropped almost to a whisper.

"And you're so cute."

Akane blushed.  She knew that she had to tell Ranma the truth now,
before matters got more complicated.

"I usually practice after school, Ranma.  Would you like to spar with
me?"

Ranma looked a little surprised, and nodded.

"I'll go change, then.  Meet me in the dojo in five minutes."

*****

Akane lunged at Ranma again, and missed again.  She was hot and sweaty,
and completely out of breath.  No matter how hard she tried, she
couldn't lay a finger on Ranma.  Finally she gave up and sat down.

"You win, Ranma."

Ranma sat beside her, looking rather amused.

"You're not bad, Akane, but you need to improve your speed."

Ranma's grin faded when he saw how solemn Akane looked.  Akane was
grateful that Ranma listened to her without interrupting as she told him
about her secret engagement to Kuno, and asked him to release her from
the promise their fathers had made.  As gently as she could, Akane
made it plain that Ranma's curse had no bearing on her decision, but
that her heart had long belonged to someone else.

It was very unusual for Akane to confide in a stranger like this, but
Ranma's openness since his arrival at her home had convinced her to
trust him.  It came as a complete surprise, then, when Ranma got to his
feet and scowled at her.

"No, Akane.  You are my fiancee, and that's the way it's going to stay.
The engagement stands."

Akane's face fell.

"Ranma, please . . ."

Akane never completed her sentence.  She put her hand to her head, and
winced.

"I'm sorry, Ranma.  We'll have to talk about this later.  I have the
most awful headache."

As Akane retreated from the dojo, Ranma smiled.  That had been almost
too easy.

*****

Nabiki saw Akane fly by her, and upstairs.  Something about her sister's
expression disturbed her, and she followed.  Nabiki got to Akane's door,
and rapped gently.

"Sis?  Can I come in?"

"I have a headache, Nabiki.  Let me rest."

Five minutes later, Akane heard another knock.

"I brought you some aspirin, Akane.  I'm coming in."

Nabiki was surprised to find Akane sitting on her bed, hugging herself
and looking miserable.  Akane had never been one to confide in her, but
Nabiki decided now was the time to try to make her do so.  She gave her
the aspirins, and then sat down and put her arm around her little
sister.

"Akane, tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing."

"Akane!  You've been acting weird for a while now, but this is worse.
Please tell me.  I promise to keep it to myself."

Akane hesitated, then smiled.  This was not the Nabiki who was looking
to make a quick profit.  This was her sister, who wanted to help her.

"I don't know what to do about Ranma, Sis.  I can't marry him."

"Why not?  He seems nice enough.  Does that curse thing bother you?"

"No, it doesn't.  It's not his fault he fell in the spring..  There's. .
there's another reason I can't marry him."

Nabiki could only think of one possible reason.

"Who is he, Akane?"

"Kuno."

Nabiki's eyes went wide.

"How on earth have you kept that from me?  I mean, I've always thought I
was perceptive, but the two of you have fooled ME?"

Akane couldn't help but giggle a little.

"It hasn't been easy, Sis.  But it was bound to come out sooner or
later.  You see, I really love Ta-chan."

Nabiki suppressed the urge to laugh.  Her boy-hating sister was calling
someone by a pet name.

"And how far has this gone?"

"He asked me to marry him.  I said yes."

"What about Ranma?"

"I told him the truth.  He got angry, and said I had to stay engaged to
him.  Why?  He just met me!  He doesn't even know me, let alone love me.
Why won't he let me go?"

Akane clutched her head.

"I'm sorry, Sis.  My head hurts so much.  I think I'm going to take a
bath."

*****

Akane was quiet and withdrawn during dinner, and didn't eat very much.
Nabiki observed her closely, but no one else seemed to notice.  Her
father and Mr. Saotome seemed to be in very high spirits, congratulating
each other on how well their children were getting along, but Nabiki
could see no sign of it.  She decided to take matters into her own
hands, and stopped Ranma as they were leaving the table at the
conclusion of the meal.

"Ranma?"

"Yes?"

"Got a minute?"

The quietest place in the house was the dojo, and that was where Nabiki
led Ranma.  He looked confused for a second, and then smiled.

"Did you want to spar with me too?"

"Moi?  No, I don't do martial arts.  I want to talk to you about Akane."

Ranma's expression changed to one of suspicion.

"What about her?"

"She told me about the talk she had with you.  Why won't you let her
go?"

Nabiki staggered.  Suddenly, she had the most severe headache she'd ever
experienced, and she closed her eyes as she fought the nausea the pain
brought with it.  When she opened her eyes, Ranma was smiling at her,
but his smile made her feel frightened.

"Why I won't is none of your business, Nabiki.  Don't interfere."

Nabiki dragged herself to the kitchen, and took out a couple of aspirin.
What had happened back in the dojo?  Ranma had appeared to be such a
friendly, sweet guy, but the face he'd just shown her was rather
frightening.



                            CHAPTER 3

Akane tried to look calm and unconcerned as she walked toward school.
Inside, her mind was churning.  How was she going to explain Ranma to
Tatewaki?  Akane looked to the side, where Ranma was walking along on
the top of the fence, hoping that neither of them would lose their
tempers.

Then Akane smiled slightly.  The boys would be waiting for her, as
usual.  It was likely that once they discovered Ranma's relationship to
her, they would attack him en masse.  Akane was fully aware that the
boys pulled their punches when they fought her every morning, something
that galled her, but she doubted that they would do so with her fiance.

Akane wanted to see how good Ranma actually was, and this would be an
effective test.  Another part of her mind said that if he got beaten
badly enough, he might give her up.  Akane ignored her conscience, which
was telling her not to go through with the experiment.

Ranma hopped down, and began running beside Akane.  Seconds later, he
regretted having done so when there was a splash, and he became a she.
Ranma turned to see an elderly woman wetting down the sidewalk, who
didn't seem to notice what she'd done.

Akane couldn't help grinning.

"I should have warned you, Ranma.  She always rinses down her sidewalk
every morning."

"I can't go to school like this!"

"Come with me, I know where to get some hot water."

*****

Akane had disappeared into the back, and Ranma looked around the room
she'd left her in.  It seemed to be some sort of a clinic.  Something
touched Ranma's shoulder, and she jumped so high she nearly hit her head
on the ceiling.  When she turned around, a smiling young man holding
a skeleton was behind her.

"Good morning.  I didn't mean to startle you.  I'm Dr. Tofu."

Akane returned, with the hot water, and greeted Dr. Tofu warmly.  A few
minutes later, they were once more on their way, and Ranma was once more
male.

"He's a martial artist, isn't he?"

"How could you tell."

"Easily.  The way he crept up behind me?  He erased his presence
completely."

"Dr. Tofu is the best.  He's a very strong martial artist, and one of
the nicest people I know."

Ranma raised his eyebrows.

"You don't have a crush on him, do you?"

Akane looked sideways at Ranma.  He knew about Kuno, so why was he
asking?

"No, not any more.  I was pretty attached to him when I was little, but
that was before. . ."

Akane reddened, and increased her speed.

As they rounded the corner to the school, Akane could see that all of
the boys were waiting, and she deliberately drew closer to Ranma.  This
was not lost upon her audience, and one of the bolder boys stepped
forward.

"Who's this, Akane?"

Akane smiled.

"My fiance."

There was a collective growl from the crowd as they advanced upon Ranma.
Akane stepped back, right into Kuno.  When she realized it was him, she
grabbed his hand and dragged him several yards away.

"Who's that, Akane-chan?"

"Shhh, Ta-chan, that's my fiance.  He showed up here last night."

Keeping one eye on the brawl, Akane quickly filled Kuno in, and had a
great deal of trouble restraining him when he learned that Ranma
intended to honor the engagement.

No one could touch Ranma.  Despite the number of people attacking him,
and their ferocity, he was having no difficulty at all.  As far as Akane
could tell, he was relying on his superior speed and strength, but Kuno
had a different opinion.

"Something is not right, Akane-chan.  He's making it look too easy."

Kuno paused, and his grip on Akane's hand tightened.

"You say that you got a bad headache last night when you were talking to
him, and that Nabiki did too?  That bothers me.  Ranma must have picked
up some kind of magical powers in China, some sort of sorcery."

Akane couldn't help but giggle.

"Don't be silly, Ta-chan.  How Ranma possibly give me and Nabiki
headaches?"

As Akane spoke, a bolt of white-hot pain went through her, and she sank
to her knees.  Kuno knelt in front of her and caught her by the
shoulders, but Akane couldn't see him.  All she was aware of was the
pain, and Ranma's voice inside her head:

"Did you REALLY think they could beat me, Akane?"

Akane moaned.  Kuno had been right.  She collapsed into Kuno's arms, and
he gathered her against him, calling her name.  A shadow fell across
them, and he looked up to see Ranma standing there, arms folded.

"Get your hands off my fiancee."

Kuno defiantly held Akane closer, and cried out in pain seconds later.
It felt as if someone had driven a knife into his spine.  Without
conscious thought, Kuno gently lay Akane down on the grass.  Akane's
eyes opened, and she turned her head towards Ranma.

"Don't hurt him, Ranma.  Please, don't hurt him."

That was all Akane had time to say before she gasped, and curled up into
a fetal position.  Despite the severity of his pain, Kuno reached for
Akane, but was stopped by Ranma's words.

"I take it you're Kuno?  Akane told me all about you.  It hurts, doesn't
it?"

Kuno grunted as he got to his feet, and advanced towards Ranma.  Akane's
body jerked, and she cried out, tears streaming down her face.

"I don't care what you do to me, Ranma Saotome, but you will NOT hurt
Akane.  Even if I have to kill you."

"Really?"

Ranma looked at Akane again, and she screamed in agony, and went limp.

"You don't get it yet, do you?  The pain you're feeling now?  It's very
bad, right?"

Obviously it was, since Kuno's hair was damp with sweat, as were his
clothes.  Ranma noted this, and grinned.

"As badly as you're hurting, Kuno, Akane is feeling it THREE times as
much.  Remember this if you choose to cross me, or dare come near her
again.  As long as you behave yourself, Akane won't suffer.  Now say
goodbye to her."

Kuno looked down at the girl he loved.  Her eyes were half open, and he
believed that she was looking at him, but it was impossible to be
certain.  He knelt down, stroked her hair, and gently kissed her cheek,
hoping that Ranma wouldn't retaliate.  Seconds later, he was helpless
with pain.

"I let you off easy this time, buddy.  Akane didn't feel that.  Now say
goodbye."

"Goodbye, Akane-chan", Kuno whispered, before passing out.

                              CHAPTER 4

"This is our new student, Ranma Saotome.  Please make him welcome.
However, you will have to do that later, as he and his fiancee, Akane
Tendo, were late this morning.  Go stand in the hall."

Akane stood beside Ranma, both of them holding two buckets of water.
After what she'd endured outside, Akane was amazed that she had the
strength to hold them.

After some reflection, Akane decided she shouldn't be surprised.  She'd
been lying on the grass, completely overwhelmed by pain, when Ranma had
knelt down and taken her hand.

"Get up, Akane."

"Leave me alone.  I can't."

"Really?"

As quickly as it had come, the pain vanished, and Ranma helped Akane to
her feet.  She shuddered at his touch, but Ranma did not release her
hand.  He began to lead her toward the school and she resisted, looking
back at Kuno's inert form.  Ranma saw where she was looking, and gave
her a questioning look.

"Please, Ranma?"

"All right, Akane, since you said 'please'."

Ranma dropped Akane's hand, and focused on Kuno.  Akane got a very
queasy feeling when Kuno rose, as if pulled up by invisible hands.  He
shook his head, and looked directly at Ranma, carefully avoiding Akane's
eyes.

"Kuno, you don't feel well.  You should go home and rest."

"Yes, I don't feel well."

Kuno turned around and walked away.  Ranma smiled, and picked up Akane's
hand again.

"I don't want to have to hurt you, Akane.  I can be nice. It all depends
on how nice you are to me."

Akane wasn't prepared for Ranma's kiss.  She jumped and started to pull
away, but a feeling of intense desire washed over hear, and she threw
her arms around him and kissed him back fiercely.  After some time they
stopped to catch their breath, and Ranma led Akane into the school.

*****

The buckets were getting too heavy for Akane.  She sagged against the
wall, and looked over at Ranma.  It was then that she realized that he
wasn't holding the buckets--they were floating next to his hands.  Ranma
was strong, too strong for her mentally.  The kiss had been proof of
that.  If Ranma could make Akane WANT to kiss him, what else could he
make her do?

Akane's thoughts were interrupted as their teacher opened the door, and
invited them back inside.  Akane wondered why Ranma brought the water
with him, and watched nervously as he stationed himself at the front of
the classroom.

"There's somethin' I hafta show you people.  Somethin' happened to me in
China, and you might as well all know about it."

Akane stared.  Why was Ranma talking like that?  He used perfectly
proper grammar before.  She was the only person who didn't react when
Ranma changed into a girl.

Then Ranma's posture changed.  He had been standing proudly, and now she
drooped.  Akane could see that Ranma was using mental tactics again when
she picked up her head, and looked sadly at the class.

"Any questions?"

The questions came, but they were gentle ones, and there was no
ridicule, something that would have been amazing to Akane had she not
known that Ranma was manipulating everyone in the room.  He had his act
down perfectly - his way of speaking, the way he held his body.

It worked.  Ranma had played on their sympathies, in addition to using
his mental powers, and by the time he had changed himself back everyone
in the room, including the teacher, was on his side.

*****

By the end of the week Ranma had everyone eating out of his hand..
Akane watched helplessly as he spun his web, and kept catching more and
more people.

Nabiki watched her sister with concern.  It seemed to her that no one
else in the house could see how terrible she looked.  Akane was not
sleeping well, barely eating, and unless Ranma was making her smile,
looked miserable.  Nabiki suspected that Ranma's father was aware of
what was going on, but he rarely spoke.

Ranma walked beside Akane every day now, holding her hand.  Nabiki
observed that she was no longer challenged by the boys every morning,
and that Kuno avoided her.  Kuno didn't look very well either.

The situation was intolerable to Nabiki, and she took her courage in
both hands and approached her father one afternoon when Ranma was out
with his friends.  Soun was skimming the leaves off the pond when Nabiki
came outside, and took his arm.

"Daddy, I need your help."

"What is it, dear?"

"I want you to call off Akane's engagement."

Soun dropped the skimmer.

"Nabiki, is this some kind of joke?"

"But Daddy. . ."

"Nabiki, how can you ask that?  Don't you see how much Akane loves
Ranma?  She holds his hand under the table at every meal.  She never
stops smiling at him.  You must be joking."

Nabiki opened her mouth to explain, and felt a twinge in her back.  She
reached back to rub it, and the pain intensified.  She'd been found out.
Nabiki looked behind her, and her eyes were drawn to the roof.  Ranma
was sitting there, watching her out of narrowed eyes.

"Yes, Daddy, I was joking.  I wanted to see how you'd react."

"Don't scare me like that!"

Nabiki gave up, and kissed her father's cheek.  It was obvious to her
that he had no idea what was going on.

"I'm sorry, Daddy."

Nabiki jumped when she heard Ranma's voice in her head.

"You'll be even sorrier if you pull a trick like that again.  Mind your
business, Nabiki."

                            CHAPTER 5

"Hey Ranma!"

Ranma was halfway down the stairs, and turned around.

"We're going out for burgers, want to come?"

"Sure!"

Ranma released Akane's hand, and waited for his friends.  Akane
immediately took the opportunity to put distance between them.  She
hadn't gone far when Ranma's voice sounded in her head.

"Remember what I told you to do, Akane?  Do it."

*****

Akane slowly made her way home, preparing herself for Kasumi's reaction
when she saw her.  If she had a reaction, that is.  Kasumi had become a
parody of herself.  She smiled constantly, humming and singing as she
went about her work, and was so sickeningly sweet that if a diabetic
was to come near her he'd require a shot of insulin.

Akane knew that Kasumi had caught on to the fact that she was in love,
but now she just seemed oblivious to the entire world.  She missed the
sister that was almost a mother to her.

"I'm home!"

Kasumi popped out of the kitchen to greet Akane, and gasped.

"What happened to your HAIR?"

"I decided I needed a change."

Something prickled in Kasumi's spellbound mind.  Akane had been growing
her hair for ten years, only allowing her to trim the ends if they
became ragged.  Something was not right, but Kasumi knew she couldn't
ask Akane outright about it.

"Do you think Ranma will like it?"

"I'm sure he will."

Akane walked past her sister and up the stairs to change into her gi.
The second half of Ranma's instructions, after "cut your hair", had been
"and go practice".  She had learned, too painfully, not to cross him.

*****

When Akane slid the door to the dojo open, she discovered Ranma's father
sitting on the floor, staring at nothing.

"Oh!  Excuse me, Mr. Saotome."

"That's all right, Akane.  Go ahead and practice."

Genma moved against the wall and watched Akane.  She had been showing
steady improvement since Ranma had begun coaching her.

"You do well, daughter."

Akane froze.

"Daughter?  Why are you calling me daughter?"

"Isn't it obvious, Akane?  Whatever my son wants, he gets, and he wants
you."

Mr. Saotome had just spoken more words to Akane in the last minute than
he had since his arrival.  Not wanting to waste the opportunity he was
giving her, Akane stopped practicing, and sat down beside him.

"I don't understand why he wants me.  Can you tell me?"

Genma looked nervous.

"Where is my son?"

"Out with his friends.  Talk fast."

Genma nodded.

*****

"Ranma didn't tell you the whole truth the day he arrived, but I'm sure
you know that by now.  We didn't spend a few weeks in China.  We lived
there for a year, training.  Eventually, we found a small village in the
mountains, one that I'd been looking for.  We were both accepted as
students by the old master who lived there, and I learned more in the
first three months than I'd learned in the past twenty years.  Then
Ranma was invited to join a very small, very elite group of students.
I couldn't help but be proud."

"And?"

"That was when he started to change, Akane.  If you'd met Ranma before,
I'm sure you would have liked him.  He's trained long and hard in the
Art, but I also made sure to teach him to be a man, to see to his
education, and I tried hard to make him into a good person.  I'd always
noticed that whenever the master walked through the village the people
would stop what they were doing and look at him.  The respect they held
him in was very obvious.  After a while, they began to stop and look at
my son."

Genma laughed bitterly.

"I'm such a fool!  I thought the people were looking at Ranma with the
same respect.  It took time for me to realize that it was fear, and that
knowledge didn't come to me until it was too late. You see, Ranma and
his fellow students were learning an ancient form of martial arts, one
that employs magic.  He was the youngest student, and I believe he was
too young to acquire this sort of power.  It went to his head, you see.
The more power Ranma gained, the more he wanted, and the crueler he
became."

"Despite the master's best efforts, he began abusing that power.  Ranma
didn't hesitate to use it to get what he wanted, and to hurt others.
Eventually, we were driven from the village, because he was becoming a
threat to the tranquillity they'd worked too hard to earn."

"Akane, Ranma wanted to control the village, and go on from there.  His
desire for power is still growing.  That's why we came here."

Akane looked blank.

"I don't understand.  How do I fit in?"

"You're part of his plan, Akane.  Ranma has known about his engagement
to you since he was a small child, and that your father has trained you
just as I trained him.  He knows that any children you would have with
him would be strong.  Ranma intends to train them in the same arts he's
learned, especially the magical ones.  But once Ranma arrived here, he
had another incentive."

Akane thought back to the day Ranma arrived.  He'd called her "cute".
Genma saw her expression, and realized she'd come to the correct
conclusion.

"I know my son, Akane.  The moment he saw you, he wanted you for your
beauty.  So he is doubly determined to keep you.  I see no way to
prevent your marriage."

"What about his curse?  Can it be used against him in some way?"

"Ranma has no curse."

"WHAT?"

For a moment, Akane thought Genma had gone mad.

"Listen to me, Akane.  We went to Jusenkyo after being driven out of the
village.  I'm not sure why, unless Ranma had heard something about the
place I hadn't.  The first thing he did after falling in was to grab our
guide and find out the location of the Spring of Drowned Man.  He
cured himself immediately."

"And you?"

"I told you Ranma had become cruel, Akane.  He laughed at me when I
tried to get to the spring, and prevented me from using it.  When you
see Ranma appear to change into a girl, it is an illusion.  He learned
quite fast that if people have sympathy for him, he can have more
control over them.  That's why he's using that illusion.  The next time
he appears to change, don't trust your eyes.  Trust your heart.  I
believe you'll see the truth."

Akane sat quietly.  Genma obviously still loved his son dearly.

"Is there no way to help him, then?"

"I hope so, Akane.  There must be some good left in my son.  But that
doesn't mean you shouldn't be very careful.  He is capable of murder.
As we were leaving the village, we met someone coming toward it.  I
didn't know the young man, but evidently he'd followed us from
Japan, where he went to school with my son, trying to settle an old
grudge.  Ranma incinerated him."

"WHAT!"

"He threw a ball of fire at him.  The last thing I saw was the people of
the village trying to put out his flaming clothing.  I seriously doubt
if he survived."

Akane looked at the clock.  Ranma would be back soon.

"Then you can't help me?"

"I wish I could."

"Can't you just tell Daddy the truth for me?  Nabiki tried to, but Ranma
found her out, and he hurt her.  He keeps too close a watch on me, and I
doubt if Daddy would even listen to me.  Please?  You can tell him while
we're at school."

The naked fear on Genma's face was terrible to see.  Akane began to cry,
and Genma gathered her into his arms and hugged her.

"Don't cry, Akane.  I'll try."

Akane left the dojo without noticing the people on either side of it.
Sitting against one wall, near an open window, was Nabiki.  She'd
learned more than she wanted to know about Ranma. Nabiki wiped away a
few tears, wondering what she could do to help her baby sister.

On the opposite side of the dojo, Tatewaki Kuno gripped his bokken so
tightly that it was in danger of snapping.  He'd arrived toward the end
of the conversation, when Akane was asking Genma for help.  As far as he
was concerned, Ranma's father would be of little or no help to
Akane.  He was too frightened of his son. The sorcerer Ranma had to be
stopped, and it appeared that he had to be the one to stop him.

The dark figure on the roof waited until the other two watchers left
before making his way off the Tendo property.  As he'd feared, Ranma was
continuing along the same path he'd started down in China.  It was time
to send another report back home.


                            CHAPTER 6

Akane lathered her body, rinsed, and poured water over her head.  She
started to shampoo her hair, reaching back to go down the length of it,
and froze.  There was no hair where she was reaching.

Slowly, Akane washed what was left, measuring its length with her
fingers.  She rinsed out the shampoo, and stepped into the tub.

The bathroom was the only place Ranma hadn't invaded her privacy, and
Akane felt free to cry.  Cry she did, for a very long time.

*****

Afterwards, Akane sat outside on the huge rock by the pond.  She didn't
hear Ranma approach, and wasn't aware of his presence until he sat down
and put his arm around her.  Akane looked up and Ranma smiled at her,
and stroked her hair.

"Kawaii.  I think you look sexy this way."

The now-familiar feeling came over Akane again, and she smiled as Ranma
brought his lips to hers.  From the house, Nabiki watched, fists
clenched.  Her sister needed a lot of protecting.

*****

Akane was in bed reading, when her bedroom door opened, and she froze.
It was Nabiki, and the look of relief on her face was not lost on her.

"Were you expecting someone else, Sis?"

When Akane didn't respond, but turned very red, Nabiki sat down and took
her hands.

"Has Ranma been coming in here at night, Sis?"

Akane nodded mutely.

Nabiki's hand flew to her mouth, and she whispered to her sister.

"He hasn't, has he?"

"No.  Not yet."

Akane didn't need to explain what "not yet" meant.

"I'll be back in five minutes, Akane."

Five minutes later, Nabiki was dragging a sleeping mat into her sister's
room.  She was in her pajamas and bathrobe, and had a determined look on
her face.

"He's not touching you while I'm here."

*****

Genma opened his eyes, aware of movement in the room.  He looked at the
clock, which read 2 a.m.  When he turned over, Ranma was opening the
door, prepared to leave the room.

"Where are you going, Son?"

"None of your business, Pop."

Genma sat up, and glared at his son.

"Leave her alone, Ranma.  She's not your wife yet."

Ranma held out his hand, and his father collapsed.

"I said to mind your business, Pop."

*****

Ranma opened Akane's door silently, stepped into the room, and nearly
tripped over Nabiki.  He stood still, waiting for his eyes to adjust to
the light.  Nabiki was curled up on a sleeping mat, a light blanket over
her.

Ranma controlled his anger.  He'd told Nabiki not to interfere, but she
obviously had no intention of listening to him.  It was foolish of her
to think she could get in his way.  He had the ability to prevent her
from being aware of his presence.

Ranma stepped around Nabiki, and to Akane's side.  He bent over, and
placed his hand over her mouth.  Akane woke, her eyes widening with
fear.

"Keep very quiet, Akane-chan."

Hearing Kuno's pet name for her on Ranma's lips infuriated Akane.  She
struggled for control, but Ranma's spell upon her was already causing
her to respond to his caresses.  Soon she forgot all about Kuno, and the
presence of her sister in the room, and was lost in his touch.

Ranma reached for the buttons on Akane's nightgown, and undid them.  He
slid it off her shoulders, and became so intent on Akane that he lost
control of his hold on Nabiki.  That lapse allowed her to hear the bed
creak, and she opened her eyes.

"Let her go!"

Nabiki reached for the first thing that came into her hand, which
happened to be her pillow.  She swatted Ranma with it, and he released
Akane, who came to herself.  When she saw her exposed condition, she
pulled the sheet up to her nose, and wiggled her way back into her
nightgown.

"I told you not to interfere!"

Ranma concentrated on Nabiki, who dropped her pillow and sank down onto
the mat.  To his surprise, she forced herself to sit up.

"Get out, Ranma.  You won't touch my sister while I'm here."

Ranma reached his hand toward Nabiki, and Akane's hand shot forward and
grabbed him by the wrist.

"If you even try to hurt her, I'll scream.  Then what will you tell
everyone when they come in here?  How many of us can you control at
once?"

Ranma stood up.  There was no sense in staying.  His desire for Akane
had been pushed aside by his anger at Nabiki. He pulled himself free,
and stood.

"You'd be surprised what I can do, Akane."

Both girls maintained their defiant pose until the door had closed, and
then they drooped.  Akane silently patted the space beside her, and
Nabiki crawled into the bed with her.  The two of them held each other
close as they cried themselves to sleep.

*****

Kuno slept little that night.  The conversation he'd eavesdropped on
made him convinced that he had to destroy Ranma.  The question was how.
He lay awake, thinking hard, but rejecting each plan as it came to him.
He needed to know Ranma's weakness.

*****

The message was complete.  Strong hands rolled it up into a small
cylinder, which was placed into a tube, and tied onto the bird's leg.

"Go quickly, friend.  Bring back the help I need."

*****

Genma snored as his son lay awake, thinking.  He had to find a way to
rid himself of Nabiki's interference without anyone suspecting him.

The way was dumped into his lap the next day, a gift he was happy to
receive.  Although he tried hard to be casual about it, Ranma spotted
one of Kuno's friends slipping Akane a note at lunch ime.  He followed
her at a discreet distance, and hid himself as she read it.  Akane's
face showed er feelings, fear, hope, love.  After she finished, she
kissed the letter, and hid it in her blouse.  That was when Ranma acted.

Akane suddenly felt extremely tired.  Unable to keep her eyes open, she
leaned against the tree she was sitting beneath, and fell asleep.  Ranma
quickly pulled the letter from her blouse, and read it.

     "My dear love,

     Please do not give up hope.  When you spoke to Saotome's father
today, I was there, listening.  I will find his weakness, and
destroy him.

     Do not think that you are alone or abandoned.  I will always be
here for you.

     Your Ta-chan"

Ranma fought the desire to tear the letter up, re-folded it, and put it
back.  So, Kuno was looking for his weak point?  Ranma would let him
think he'd found it.

Akane woke from her nap, and stretched.  She'd needed the rest, but it
was time to get back to class.  She gently touched Kuno's note through
her blouse.  His love had lent her strength.


                          CHAPTER 7

"Akane, if I'd had any talent for this sort of thing Daddy would have
taught me years ago."

Nabiki felt ridiculous.  She was dressed in a gi, and trying hard not to
laugh as she imitated her sister.

"That's not the point, Nabiki.  You should have learned at least a few
self-defense moves before this.  Now you need them, and there's no time
to teach you properly."

Ranma had gone off with his friends again.  Akane hadn't had to be alone
with him since the previous night, as Nabiki was sticking so close to
her she thought her sister had been glued to her.  At least he'd be
stuck coming back as a girl, since it had begun to rain shortly after
he'd left her, and he still persisted in allowing everyone to think he
was cursed.

*****

Ranma toyed with her ice cream, looking a little down.  Her friends
immediately noticed.

"What's with you, Ranma?"

"This stupid curse.  I HATE walking around like this."

Hiroshi chuckled.

"But Ranma, look at the advantages.  You got three scoops of ice cream
in your sundae, and we only got two.  And if you give that guy one more
cute little smile, he'll probably tell you it's on the house."

"Yeah, I guess that's an advantage, but there's a disadvantage too."

Ranma lowered her voice, looking around to see if anyone would be able
to overhear.

"The problem is I'm nowhere near as strong when I'm a girl.  Not
everybody in Nerima is my friend, ya know.  What if someone found out?"

Ranma's friends assured her that his secret was safe with them.  She
acted relieved, and thanked them.  Inside, he was grinning.  The news
would be all over the school before lunch time tomorrow.

*****

Kuno couldn't believe his ears.  He'd found Saotome's weak point.  For
him, the hours moved slowly as he impatiently waited for the school day
to end.  It had been raining hard all day, and it was very likely that
Ranma would get wet on his way home.

Ranma walked to Akane's side after the bell rang, and escorted her out
of the classroom.  His face fell when he saw Nabiki waiting right
outside the door.  Nabiki glared at Ranma, took her sister's
hand, and walked away.  Ranma looked grim, and followed. When they left
the school, he could hear the usual whispers as he appeared to change
into a girl.

Ranma let the girls take a small lead, and then hopped up onto the
rooftops, shadowing them.  He ran ahead, and saw Kuno waiting.  Now was
the time to act.

Ranma hid himself in an alley just between Kuno and the girls, and
concentrated.  Nabiki appeared to shimmer, and suddenly it appeared that
Akane was running down the street holding hands with Ranma in his female
form.  Neither of them noticed, being too busy trying to get home and
out of the rain.  That was when they bumped into Kuno.

Akane's welcoming smile for Kuno turned into a look of disbelief as he
raised his bokken and brought it down on Nabiki.  To her credit, she was
able to evade the blow, which was meant for her head, causing Kuno to
smash her shoulder.  Nabiki turned white and went down, hard.

"Saotome, release Akane!"

"Ta-chan, what are you doing?"

Kuno ignored Akane, and kicked Nabiki.  Akane could hear her sister's
ribs snap.  Then she did a double take.  It wasn't Nabiki lying there.
It was Ranma, in girl form.  But that wasn't possible, Nabiki had been
with her moments before.

Ranma.  Ranma was casting an illusion on her sister, and if Akane didn't
do something Kuno would kill her.  Kuno had his bokken raised in
preparation for another strike.  As his arms were coming down, Akane
threw herself on top of her sister, screaming at the top of her voice.

"Stop!  Can't you see, it's Nabiki!"

Kuno's reflexes were sharp enough to react in time.  He turned, and the
blow hit the pavement. The bokken shattered.

"What are you saying, Akane-chan?  Why are you protecting Saotome?"

Akane lifted her face from her sister's unconscious body, tears flowing
freely.

"Look with your heart, Ta-chan, not your eyes.  It's an illusion.  This
is my sister."

If it had been anyone but his Akane speaking, Kuno wouldn't have
listened.  But it was her, and he squatted down to look at the person
he'd attacked.  The illusion dissipated, and he was horrified at what he
saw.  He lifted her into his arms, nodding at Akane to follow him.

"We have to get her to a doctor."

Dr. Tofu looked up as his door flew open.  He took one look at the
burden Kuno carried and pulled him into an examining room.  Kuno gently
deposited Nabiki on the table and stood there, looking
conscience-stricken.  Tofu simply pushed him aside.

"Outside.  You too, Akane.  And call an ambulance.  I'll do what I can
to stabilize your sister, but she needs more help than I can give her."

After she'd made the call, Akane sat on the waiting room couch beside
Kuno.  She was shaking, but when she looked to him for comfort, he moved
several inches away.  Akane closed the distance again, put her face in
Kuno's shoulder, and wept.

"I'm surprised you can even look at me, Akane-chan."

Akane raised her tear-stained face.

"It wasn't your fault, Ta-chan.  Ranma set you up somehow.  You were
waiting for us, weren't you?"

Kuno nodded grimly, and told Akane the entire story.  When Akane learned
that he had only heard the latter part of her conversation with Genma,
she understood.

"You missed something, Ta-chan.  Mr. Saotome told me that Ranma's curse
is only an illusion.  Cold water doesn't do anything but get him wet.
He just wants people to think he's cursed."

Hesitantly, Akane continued, telling Kuno about Ranma's visits to her
room in the dead of the night, and her sister's attempts to protect her.

"I was afraid Ranma would try to hurt Nabiki, but I never expected him
to use you as a weapon."

"He's clever, Akane-chan.  He wanted to rid himself of both of us at the
same time.  If Nabiki dies...I have to turn myself over to the police."

"NO!"

"But Akane-chan, they will want to know what happened to her."

"Then tell them we were being attacked by thugs, and you rescued us.  I
have martial arts training, and could defend myself, but my sister
couldn't."

"And what will Nabiki say to that?"

Tofu opened the door.

"Kuno, Akane, Nabiki wants to see you."

The siren of the approaching ambulance became audible as Akane and Kuno
entered the examining room.  Nabiki's eyes were open, but she looked
horrible.  When she saw her sister, Nabiki attempted to smile.

"I guess I should have taken those lessons earlier, Sis, but I wouldn't
have wanted to hit your boyfriend."

Kuno gently picked up Nabiki's hand.

"I'm sorry, Nabiki.  I thought . . . I thought that you were . ."

"I know, Kuno.  It wasn't your fault."

The ambulance crew rushed in, and began to push Kuno and Akane aside.
Nabiki made an effort, and spoke again.

"Protect my sister, Kuno-baby."



                            CHAPTER 8

Akane accompanied her sister in the ambulance, while Kuno phoned the
Tendo home to tell them what had happened.  He was careful to stick to
the story that Akane had invented, and no one questioned him.

Nabiki had a broken shoulder, broken ribs, and massive internal
injuries.  The family sat in the hospital all night long, taking turns
holding her hand.  By morning, the doctors were able to tell
them that she would survive, but it was likely that she would be in the
hospital for a long time.

Mr. Tendo was overjoyed to hear this.  He was also very worried.  This
was bound to be very expensive.  When he quietly inquired about the cost
the billing office told him that all expenses were being covered by a
private donor.  This made him wonder, but he was too concerned about
his daughter to give it much further thought.

Ranma and Genma had come to the hospital, but hadn't remained all night.
While Soun, Kasumi and the authorities readily accepted the story they'd
been told, Genma was more than a little suspicious.  As they were
preparing for bed, Genma confronted his son.

"Tell me the truth about what happened today, Ranma."

"What do you mean, Pop?"

"Don't pull that innocent face on me, Son. I can see through it.  You're
somehow responsible for what happened to Nabiki today."

"I have no idea what you're talking about.  You must be tired."

In fact, Genma was tired.  He'd been feeling more tired every day.
Rather than try to get any more information about his son, he opted to
go to bed.

*****

Akane decided to skip school the next day, and spend it with her sister.
When she announced her plans at breakfast, her father agreed.

"You do that, Akane.  Tell Nabiki I'll be there this afternoon, after I
finish teaching my morning classes."

"I'll walk you there, Akane."

Akane gave Ranma a cold glare.

"I can find my way there myself, thank you."

Soun looked at his daughter in shock.

"Why are you talking to Ranma that way, Akane?"

"Ask him."

Soun looked at Ranma, but he just shrugged.

"I guess I'll just get ready for school."

*****

By the time Ranma came downstairs with his bag, Akane was already gone.
He left the house by the front door, went around the back, and climbed
over the fence.  He was in time to see his father and Genma enter the
dojo, and he crept along the wall until he could listen in at the
window.  When he heard what Genma was telling Akane's father about
China, he was furious.  Ranma didn't think that he could be any angrier
until he heard that Akane had asked his father for help, and that he'd
promised to try.

His father was taking Akane's side against him?  Ranma couldn't believe
it.  He thought the measures he'd been taking to keep his father under
control were working, but obviously they were not.  Perhaps the old man
had come to the end of his usefulness.

*****

Akane couldn't help but laugh at her sister.  Nabiki was lying there in
bed, looking horrible, and all she did was worry about her.

"You're sure Ranma didn't bother you last night?"

"He didn't come near me, Nabiki. In fact, he avoided me.  Maybe because
I was with Daddy and Kasumi most of the time."

"Where's Kasumi?"

Akane was a little worried.  This was the third time Nabiki had asked.
The doctor said it was normal for her to be forgetful with all of the
medication she was on, but Akane was accustomed to her normal,
sharp-minded Nabiki.

"She's coming with Daddy this afternoon, Sis."

*****

Shortly after lunch, Kasumi came in with Soun.  Nabiki was glad to see
them, so much so that she became a little tearful, something very
uncommon for her.  After a few minutes she grabbed her father's arm,
with her one good hand, and held on.

"Daddy, take care of Akane."

Soun jumped in surprise.

"What do you mean, Nabiki?"

"Protect her, Daddy.  I couldn't"

Soun took a deep breath before he responded.

"It's true, then.  Saotome told me, and I wouldn't believe him.  Akane,
I'm sorry."

Akane got up and crossed the room to hold her father tight, and kiss
him.

"I'm not blaming you, Daddy.  I just need your help."

*****

Akane wondered all the way home what her father had in mind.  He was a
good father, a good teacher, and a good man.  Akane, however, was
painfully aware that he was not good at confrontation.  As they walked
into the house and removed their shoes, Akane watched his body
language change.  Her father was preparing for battle.

Kasumi retreated to the kitchen.  Akane watched her go, understanding
that for Kasumi, the kitchen was her sanctuary, a place for her to feel
safe.  For Akane, no place in the house felt safe anymore.

Soun called up the stairs for Genma and Ranma, but got no response.  He
ran up to see if they were there, but their room was empty.  Soun came
back down and headed for the dojo.  Akane hesitated momentarily, and
then followed him.  That was a mistake.

They found Ranma standing over his father, glowing with fury.  Genma was
bruised and bleeding, and looked grateful to see them.  Soun helped his
friend up, and then turned all of his attention to Ranma.

"I want you out of my house, Ranma.  You are no longer engaged to my
daughter."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, it is.  Go pack your things, and leave."

Ranma just smiled.  Moments later, Genma collapsed, and Akane screamed.
Soun turned around, to find his daughter lying on the floor, curled up
into a ball.

"Release her, Ranma!  Stop this now!"

"How are you going to stop me?  You can't even touch me."

Soun charged Ranma, but never got near him.  Ranma simply smiled, and
Soun joined the group on the floor, writhing in pain.

Akane's pain vanished, and she sat up, looking at Ranma questioningly.
He caught her look, walked over to her, and kissed her.  Akane was
unable to resist.

"I told you, Akane.  I don't want to hurt you.  But unless you tell your
father to take back what he said, I'm going to continue to hurt him.  I
also want you to tell my father that you don't need his help.  Now tell
them."

Akane was beaten.  She couldn't bear to see anyone suffer because of
her.  She walked to her father's side, and knelt down.  Soun stopped
moving as Ranma released his hold on him and lay there, exhausted.

"Tell him you changed your mind, Daddy.  Tell Ranma I'll marry him."

"But Akane!"

"Tell him, Daddy!  Please!"

Soun gazed into his daughter's eyes for a long time.  She was
sacrificing herself for him.

"Ranma, I changed my mind.  Akane will marry you.  Please be good to
her."

Akane shivered when she heard Ranma's reply.

"As long as she's good to me."

Akane moved on to Genma.

"Mr. Saotome, I'm sorry I bothered you.  You don't need to help me, I'll
be just fine."

Genma didn't move, and Akane became concerned.  She knelt down next to
him, and touched his cheek gently.  Then she turned around, white as a
sheet.

"He's dead!"


                            CHAPTER 9

The funeral was very simple.  The only persons in attendance were Ranma,
Soun, Kasumi, and Akane.  Soun knew that his friend had a wife
somewhere, but had no idea how to find her.

The doctor had said that Mr. Saotome had died of heart failure, which
was probably true.  What he didn't know was that his son had worn his
father's endurance down until his heart could no longer stand the stress
he was under.  In effect, Ranma had murdered his father.

Kasumi was the only person in the house who seemed normal.  She had
taken the information she had, and put it somewhere in the back of her
mind, and left it there.  She continued to cook, clean, and visit her
sister in the hospital.  To Soun and Akane's amazement, she continued to
be friendly and polite to Ranma, as if nothing had happened.

Akane knew that this was Kasumi's way of handling stress, and accepted
it.  For her part, she was not handling it nearly so well.  Now that
Ranma had won, he was treating her more kindly, but he was also
pressuring her to set a wedding date.  Akane didn't know what to tell
him.

Finally, she couldn't stand it any more, and agreed to marry Ranma
during the break between terms.  Nabiki would be home from the hospital
by then.

*****

When Nabiki learned of Akane's decision, she was livid.  When Akane
merely shrugged, accepting what she'd done, Nabiki couldn't believe it.
Her little sister, who was always ready for a fight, was giving up.
When she finally calmed down enough to listen to what Akane had to say,
though, she didn't argue any more.

"What can I do, Sis?  No one would believe me if I told them the truth.
And even if I did, how would Ranma react?  Would he hurt you again?  Or
Daddy?  Or Kasumi?  I can't take that chance.  At least you'll be
leaving home soon.  Then you'll be safe."

Nabiki winced.  She'd been keeping up with her schoolwork in the
hospital, and would be graduating from her bed.  Nabiki had already been
accepted in college, but had planned to stay home to watch over her
sister.  Now Akane was in effect telling her to leave her family behind.
She opened her mouth to protest, but Akane interrupted.

"Don't argue with me, Nabiki!  Ranma wants me, and the house.  Once he
has that, maybe he'll be satisfied.  I can only hope he isn't all bad.
His father didn't think so."

Akane's words trailed off, and she looked at the floor.

"You can't forget Kuno, can you?"

Akane hadn't seen or spoken to Kuno since the day he'd been tricked into
attacking Nabiki.

"No.  I never will."

"It's not fair, Akane."

Akane's face grew hard.

"Who said life was fair?"

*****

The travelers finished packing their bags, and checking their supplies.
The old man standing beside them gave them his blessing, and they began
their journey.

Two of the young men had been born and raised in the village they were
leaving.  The third had arrived there some months ago.  While they were
leaving their village and country, he was on his way home.

*****

Kuno read the acceptance letter again, put it down, and buried his face
in his hands.  His college plans had been made many months ago.  His
original plan was to come home after one year, marry Akane, who would be
graduating, and bring her back to school with him.  Now he had no
reason to come back.  Everyone knew that Akane was about to marry Ranma.
Once that happened, Nerima would no longer be a place he would want to
visit.

*****

Akane was worried about her father.  He was teaching, as usual, and
going about his daily routine, but he wasn't himself.  He wasn't eating
well, or sleeping well, and had become very thin.  She couldn't help
wondering whether Ranma was causing this, but knew that she couldn't ask
him.  If he was, she couldn't stop him, and if he wasn't, he would be
angry at her for suspecting it of him.  She'd grown to fear his anger,
and what came afterward.

It had become quite easy for Akane to treat Ranma kindly.  As long as
she pretended he was her Ta-chan, she could be quite nice to him.
Sometimes her pretense slipped, and she sank into despair, but most of
the time her self-induced illusion carried her through.

At least Ranma had stopped visiting her bedroom, honoring her request to
wait until after their wedding.  Akane was amazed that she'd had the
nerve to ask, and that he'd agreed.  Perhaps he had because he knew that
he had won.

*****

Nabiki came home from the hospital, and between the three of them,
Soun's daughters talked him into going to the doctor.

Ranma had not been responsible for the change in Soun.  He was dying,
and there was nothing anyone could do.  Akane privately thought that the
stress her father was experiencing had hastened his deterioration, but
felt it wiser not to mention it.  Instead, she devoted the next few
weeks to caring for her father.

The time he had left went too quickly.  A few days before the scheduled
wedding, the Tendo family held another funeral.  The girls were too
devastated to do more than collapse afterward, and it wasn't until the
following day that they sat together to read his will.

Soun hadn't much to leave, but he split it evenly between the three
girls.  The house, however, was left to Ranma and Akane, provided that
they married.  Otherwise, it was left to Ranma, with the stipulation
that he provide a home for the Tendo girls until such time that they no
longer needed it.

The will would have angered Akane had she not known that her father had
drawn it before he'd met Ranma.  And it was too late now, anyway.  She
would be his wife in a few days.




                            CHAPTER 10

Ranma's friends had taken him away to a bachelor party.  Considering
that they were underage, it would consist of lots of food, lots of soda,
and lots of fooling around.  Ranma seemed to be looking forward to it as
they dragged him off.

Akane took the opportunity to slip on a sweater, and catch a taxi across
town.

There were a few lights on in the Kuno mansion as Akane approached it.
She rang the doorbell, and waited.  A well-dressed servant answered, and
smiled at her.

"Miss Tendo, come in.  Was the master expecting you?"

"No, he wasn't."

When Kuno found out who was waiting for him he flew downstairs, and then
stopped a few feet short of Akane.

"What are you doing here?  You're getting married tomorrow."

"That's why I'm here, Ta-chan.  Where can we talk?"

*****

Kuno led Akane to a small parlor.  He poured her some juice, and sat
beside her, not daring to touch her.

"Are you all right, Akane-chan?"

"I suppose so, Ta-chan.  And you?  You'll be leaving for college soon, I
guess."

"Yes, I will.  And I won't be coming back."

A tear crept down Akane's face, and she set her glass down on the table.

"Somehow I already knew that.  I can't blame you."

Kuno jumped in surprise as Akane threw herself into his arms, and drew
his face down to kiss him.  He couldn't resist the temptation, and
kissed her back.  Her lips left his, and began to travel across his jaw
line, then down to his neck.  He pulled away in amazement.

"Akane-chan, what are you doing?"

"Please, sweetheart, please.  Let me be with you tonight, just this one
time."

Kuno removed Akane's hands from his neck, and shook his head.

"No, you mustn't.  We mustn't."

"Why not?  No one will know."

"Are you sure you couldn't keep that from Ranma?  That he wouldn't know
you'd been with someone else?"

Kuno got up and walked to the window, looking out at the stars.  The
temptation Akane had put before him was proving very hard on him.

"Besides that, have you thought of the other consequences that are
possible?"

"Other consequences?"

"If you presented your husband with a child that looked like me, he
would kill all three of us."

Kuno returned to Akane's side, took out his handkerchief, and dried her
tears.

"I'm sorry, love.  You came all this way to be with me, and I'm sending
you home.  But it's the right thing to do.  Later, you'll realize that."

Kuno gently kissed Akane's forehead, and called his driver to take her
home.

*****

Akane had the driver stop short of the house to let her out, and walked
the rest of the way.  Ranma was watching from the roof when she let
herself in, and got her bath things together.

Where had she been?  Had Akane been cheating on him?  Somehow, Ranma
didn't think she'd have the nerve.  He went to the bathroom door, and
listened.  Ranma could hear Akane crying on the other side of the door.
No, she hadn't been cheating on him.  She'd gone to say goodbye.

*****

"I now pronounce you husband and wife.  Feel free to kiss your bride."

The few invited guests watched quietly as Ranma kissed Akane, and held
her close to him.  It had been a very brief, uneventful ceremony.  No
one had expected anything more, since the family was still in a state of
shock and mourning after the deaths of both fathers.

Ranma and Akane moved among their guests, accepting good wishes and
congratulations, and the envelopes containing wedding money.  Kasumi had
made one of her large, elegant dinners, and everyone sat down to enjoy
themselves.

Later, Kasumi and Nabiki left.  They'd arranged to go to an inn for a
few days, one with hot springs.  Soaking would be good for Nabiki, who
was still quite stiff from her injuries.

*****

Akane was left alone with her husband.  The door closed behind the last
guest, and he turned to her with a hunger in his eyes that was
unmistakable.  Akane nodded, and started for the stairs.

"I'll go change."

"I'll close up the downstairs, Akane.  Be there in a few minutes."

Akane entered the room that had been Ranma's and Genma's, and now was
hers and Ranma's.  She changed into the lovely nightgown that her
friends had given her, and stepped to the window.


When Akane opened the curtains, the moonlight was shining down upon the
pond.  She caught movement in the darkness, and looked again.

Kuno stepped out of the shadows, and onto the large rock beside the
pond.  Akane had the curtains parted just a bit, but she was certain
that he was looking directly at her.  His face was a mask of misery, and
Akane was sure that hers looked the same.

Then the door slid open behind her, and Akane's expression changed into
the smile she'd become so good at.

*****

The travelers got off the boat, and gathered their things together.

"How long will it take us to get to Nerima?"

"We'll be there in the morning, if we hurry."

*****

Akane opened her eyes, and looked over at Ranma.  He was smiling in his
sleep.

Looking at Ranma asleep, it was hard to believe he was who he was.
Akane couldn't believe that she was married to such a person.

Last night had been a horrible experience for her.  Akane had attempted
to hold on to the fantasy she'd been using every time she'd kissed Ranma
for the past few weeks--that it was Kuno she was kissing--but had found
it impossible to do so when Ranma began to undress her. The fantasy
crumbled--this was Ranma, not Kuno, and Akane didn't want him to touch
her.  But she had no choice.  When she began to resist, all Ranma had to
do was exert his control over her, and she was his.

Akane dressed quietly, and went downstairs.  This was intolerable.  But
she had a way out.

*****

Kuno slept on, sitting with his back against the rock.  He'd kept vigil
all night long, and had finally given in at dawn and fallen asleep.

*****

The travelers arrived at the house.  A figure appeared on the roof of
the dojo.

"Your timing is perfect.  There is only one other person in the house
with Ranma.

"Who is that?"

"His wife."

The leader of the group frowned.

"Then we have two to fight?"

The watcher shook his head.

"No.  If I read her right, she will either watch, or assist us."

The leader pointed toward Kuno's sleeping figure.

"And him?"

"I haven't been able to figure him out completely.  He loves Ranma's
wife.  I believe that the reason he's here is to protect her."

"He may need to."

*****

Akane prepared breakfast for herself and Ranma.  One of the things he'd
demanded of her was that she learn to cook, and cook well.  Akane had
never been particularly interested in cooking, but with Kasumi's help
she'd learned to cook reasonably well.  Considering this was the first
and last breakfast she'd ever make for Ranma, Akane found it amusing
that she was bothering to do a good job.

Akane could hear Ranma walking around upstairs, dressing, and knew she
had no time to waste.  She opened the cabinet, reached into the back,
and took out the little bottle she'd stolen from Tofu's office some time
ago.  She sprinkled the contents of the bottle liberally over her plate,
and mixed the powder in until it couldn't be seen.

When Akane had stolen the bottle, she wasn't sure if it was for her or
for Ranma.  Then Akane realized that the poison had to be for her.
Ranma was so powerful he could probably dismiss it from his body, and
then he'd just punish her as much as he wanted to.

Akane hoped that Ranma wouldn't hurt her sisters.  He had the house,
which he wanted, and he'd have her share of her father's money.  But
Akane knew that she couldn't live with Ranma, and that he'd never let
her go.

*****

Akane put the breakfast plates on the table just as Ranma came
downstairs.  He smiled at her, and she endured his kiss, and then he sat
down.  After taking a bite, and praising the taste of it, Ranma
looked around.

"Where's the tea, Akane?"

"In the kitchen.  I'll go get it."

Akane was only gone a minute, but Ranma's greed had taken over before
she got back.  When she entered the room, Ranma had inhaled his
breakfast, and was just about done with hers.  She turned white, and set
the tray down quickly.

"What have you done?"

"What's the big deal, Akane?  I was hungry.  Isn't there more for you?"

Akane couldn't reply, but sat there, staring.  Suddenly, Ranma bent
double, clutching his stomach.

"What did you do?"

Ranma looked at Akane's stricken face, and growled low in his throat.

"You're trying to kill me, aren't you?"

Akane's reply was a whisper.

"Not you, myself.  The poison was on my plate."

*****

Three of the men stood around the house, prepared to enter through the
windows, while the fourth climbed to the second floor and went in
through a bedroom window.  He silently made his way downstairs,
listening to the voices below him.

"Did you really think I would allow you to die?  I could have removed
the poison from your body as easily as this!"

Akane watched as Ranma closed his eyes, and concentrated.  His body
glowed, and a green smoke started to pour out of his mouth.  Then she
was distracted by a sound behind her, and turned to see a stranger
coming down the stairs.  She gasped, and he put his finger to his lips.

Ranma heard the gasp, opened his eyes, and leaped to his feet when he
saw who was standing there.

"Li!  What are you doing here?"

"The master sent us to stop you, Ranma.  Your behavior has made our good
name worthless."

Ranma started toward him, but doubled up again.  "Damn", he thought.  "I
didn't get all the poison out of my system.  How much did she use?"

Li put his fingers in his mouth and whistled, and his three companions
entered from different parts of the house.  They looked at Ranma, but
the leader spoke to Akane.

"It would be best if you left.  This is not going to be pretty."

Akane understood.  These were Ranma's fellow students from China.  The
ones who'd learned the art without being corrupted.  She stood up, and
collapsed with a moan.

"Stay here, wife.  Stay and watch me win.  You know that I always win."

Ranma looked at the faces of the young men in the room.  They were the
ones he trained with, but one wasn't.  And he looked familiar, though
Ranma couldn't place him.  Maybe it was because of the terrible scarring
on his face.  It looked as if he had been badly burned.  Then it
struck him.

"Ryoga?"

"Surprised, Ranma?  You left me for dead, but you were wrong.  These
people helped me, and now I'm going to help them."

Ranma wasted no time in using the same attack that had nearly killed
Ryoga the last time.

Akane saw the fireball, and covered her eyes.  Not hearing an explosion,
she opened them.

Ryoga had both arms out, and they were glowing a strange shade of blue.
The blue light had enveloped the ball of fire, covering it completely.
As Akane watched, it fizzled and went out.

"Not good enough, Ranma.  I've been training too."

"And you're here for revenge."

"Revenge?  No.  I've learned that revenge is a waste of time and energy.
This is honor, and justice."

Ranma laughed.

"Justice?"

As he spoke, he began walking away from the table, trying to give
himself a better defensive position.  With four people to deal with, men
who had the same training as himself, this was going to be a challenge.
The leader had been listening quietly, and he finally spoke.

"Justice, Ranma.  The master knows that you caused your father's death,
and the death of your wife's father as well.  He knows how you planned
the injuries to your sister-in-law.  The authorities have not punished
you, but we will.  And we will take you back home with us, to be
re-trained."

Akane gasped when she heard that Ranma had caused her father's death.
She thought he had died from his illness.  She began to weep, hiding her
face in her hands.

"Daddy."

Then her grief turned to fury.  Akane stood, despite her pain, and
planted her feet.

"Now there are five of us against you, Ranma."

Ranma laughed.

"I can eliminate you quickly enough.  Don't worry, though.  You'll
live."

Ranma concentrated, and the four men around him winced, but remained
upright.  Their training allowed them to shake off Ranma's attack.

Akane, however, didn't have such skill, and she screamed.

Outside, Kuno heard the scream, and woke.

*****

Kuno ran into the house to see a scene of complete chaos.

Ranma was battling against four men, who were intent on disabling him.
As Kuno watched, he realized that they were using mental and physical
attacks, and the combination was keeping Ranma off balance.

Every time Ranma tried to concentrate his mental powers, a kick or punch
from one of his opponents would distract him, and his mental attacks
were weak as a result.  If he tried a physical move against one of them,
a mental wave would cause him pain.  Also, every now and then
Ranma winced, and put a hand to his stomach.

Ranma was red, and sweating.  He was going to lose, as far as Kuno could
see.

One the men noticed Kuno's presence.  He pointed across the room, and
Kuno saw Akane lying there.

"If you want to help us, get her out of here."

*****

Akane opened her eyes slowly.  She was in someone's arms.  Her first
thought was one of horror.

"Ranma won!"

Then Akane saw Kuno's eyes looking back.

"Ta-chan?"

There was an explosion behind her, and Akane turned when she saw the
horror on Kuno's face.

*****

Ranma flew through the wall from the force of the explosion.  Landing in
the pond put out the fire, and he pulled himself out and faced his
attackers.

"Come with us, Ranma.  I learned to stop hating in China.  They can
teach you, too."

"NO!  I don't need re-training!  The master's ways leave you weak.  I've
gone beyond that."

The four men bowed their heads in defeat.

"Then you leave us no choice.  Mrs. Saotome, get out of the way."

The combined force of the power emitted by the four men pinned Ranma in
place.  He called on all of his resources, but he couldn't break free.
His screams were horrible to hear, and Akane knew that she would
remember those screams for the rest of her life as she watched Ranma
die.  He collapsed, and a haze crept from his body, one that stank of
evil.  The wind caught it, and it drifted away.

Kuno picked Akane up, and carried her into the house.  She was
crying--tears of relief, exhaustion, and sadness.  If only Ranma had
listened to them and gone back to China.  Perhaps they could have helped
him.

"It's over, Akane.  It's over."

*****

Ryoga took some bread out of his pocket, and threw it into the air for
the gulls following the ship.  He was grateful that he had learned to
let go of his hate, and his thirst for revenge.

Ryoga was going back to China, which was now his home.  He was going to
a village which had adopted him as if he'd been born there, and to a
young wife who loved him.

*****

"PREGNANT?"

Kuno's eyes nearly popped from his head.  Akane saw his reaction, and
immediately began to cry.

"I'm sorry, Ta-chan.  I just found out this morning.  I thought about. .
I thought about not having it, but I can't kill my baby.  I'd never be
able to live with myself."

Akane sniffled, and wiped her eyes.

"If you want to call off our wedding, I'll understand."

Kuno didn't hesitate to gather Akane into his arms.

"It's all right, Akane-chan.  I'll raise it as if it were mine.  And he
or she will have plenty of brothers and sisters."

Akane closed her eyes and nestled closer to Kuno, the last of her fears
behind her.

*****

Dr. Tofu's last patient left the clinic, and he locked the door.  He
took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and replaced them.

Akane Saotome had visited him that morning, and he'd diagnosed her
pregnancy.  At first, she'd refused to believe him, and then she had
become quite hysterical.

Akane had insisted that she could not, and would not have Ranma's child.
It had taken the doctor quite a while to calm her, and then to convince
her to re-think that decision.  Reminding her that the child was not
only his, but hers, had been the way to do it.  He would have preferred
to simply plant the idea in her mind, but to risk discovery now was too
dangerous.

Tofu took off his shirt, opened the closet, and pulled out a set of
weights.  He began to work out, watching himself in the mirror.  He had
let himself get a little soft, but the last few weeks of workouts had
caused an improvement.

He continued to exercise, until his body glistened with sweat.  Keeping
busy like this helped him to be patient, because for now all he could do
was wait.  He had to wait, and watch, until his child was born.  The
child who would help him fulfill his plans.

He smiled again.  There was plenty of time.




--------------------

Comments?  contact me: mailto:karaohki@snet.net

Read my other stories at http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/rothko/228

Thanks and hugs to Jessica, for prereading, and to my brother Tom, for
helping me with some sticky problems.