[RANMA] - [ANGST][DARK][LANGUAGE][VIOLENCE]
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And It Was Full Of Stars
Part II
Draft (FFML) Version 0.1
A Ranma 1/2 Fan-Fiction
-= By Gendou Knepper =-
Ranma 1/2 characters & situations created and copyright by:
Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan/Kitty/Fuji/Viz/etc.
Other copyrights are owned by the respective copyright owners.
All copywritten material is used without permission.
All other material is (c)2000 Gendou Knepper
This story is a Fan-Fiction, and as such, is written for entertainment purposes only. So don't sue me. I don't have any money anyway.
Please be advised that this story contains language and violence that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.
This story takes place in an alternate dimension, so characters may act out of character.
Characterizations, characters and situations are used from both the manga and the anime.
The writer subscribes to an eclectic mix of American and Commonwealth English. Any and all spelling and grammatical errors are his own.
This work is primarily in the first-person, so it is in a stream-of-consciousness written style.
The writer would like to thank his pre-readers and editors, Chris Bookless, Justin Tarlton and Brock Pierce, for their help and support. Thanks guys.
<...> indicates foreign languages (languages other than Japanese)
*...* indicates thoughts
/.../ indicates signs
'...' indicates italics
_..._ indicates underline
Praise, comments, creative criticism and questions may be sent to: gendou_knepper@hotmail.com
Flames, insults and general stupidity will be ignored.
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.oO Part 3 Oo.
I opened with a high kick to Saotome's head. He dropped his torso to the side and swung at my chest with his fist. I blocked, driving his hands down and past me. He countered by sweeping his body up and over me, landing behind me. He shoved me from behind as I twisted to meet him. I stumbled back, trying to regain my balance. Ranma smiled as he moved in for the kill, squinting against the sun in his eyes. He struck rapidly, throwing punches at seeming random, though I could see the purpose in his eyes. I blocked each one easily, however. Saotome frowned slightly.
"You're good," he grunted, aiming a high kick toward my face.
"Thank you," I replied, ducking the kick and slamming my open palm into his chest, "I've worked hard to become so." I ducked and weaved around a series of rapid-fire punches, then caught Saotome's right hand in my fist. Saotome's look became grim as he realized just how fast I truly was. He snarled and twisted away, launching a new offensive.
"Royal Chestnut Fist!" he shouted, aiming a hundred punches at my exposed midsection. In desperation, I revealed one of my aces.
"Shadow-Dragon Path!" I shouted. I felt the brief disorientation of shadow-walking, then I was standing behind Saotome, in his shadow.
"Wha-huh?" Ranma gasped. Then he sensed me behind him. He spun, but I was already moving.
"Shadow-Dragon Fist!" I cried, slamming my fist into Saotome's side. I felt two of his ribs snap under the chi-enhanced blow of my fist. He grunted, but managed to block my next two blows. He was careful to keep the sun at his back so that his shadow would always be in front of him. Ranma lashed out with both hands as he advanced on me again. I backed up to avoid them, but it had been a ruse. Saotome was already airborne.
"Fierce Tiger Overbearing!" he yelled, firing a blast of flaming chi energy directly at me. I tried to dodge, but I was caught in the blast as it exploded around me. I groaned, feeling my ankle twist as I hit the ground. I tried to stand, failed, then rolled to the side. Saotome hit the ground where I had been, his feet smashing a tiny crater as he landed. He was already following up. I wasn't even off the ground yet.
"Royal Chestnut Fist!" he shouted, striking me in the back as I tried to scramble away. I screamed in agony as a hundred blows struck my spine, all in under a second. I felt something give way in my back, high up. I tried to twist around, but my actions were too slow.
He reared back, bringing his foot around and striking me in my face. My head snapped back and my mouth filled with blood. I pushed myself up onto my hands and knees and spat into the dirt, wiping my mouth on my sleeve. He was standing to the side, bouncing on his toes, waiting to see if I would get up. I started to stand.
"This was my only dress shirt, you bastard," I hissed. It was the only thing I could think of to say. Ranma stared at me as if I'd grown two heads. At least he had the decency not to laugh.
"C'mon man, stay down. I beat you." He looked me in the eye. "You're good," he said thoughtfully. "Not as good as me, of course, but still, you're good." I smiled grimly, watching his face. I was on my feet now. Ranma looked disappointed. "Your funeral, man," he said. He moved toward me in a blur, rocking me with two blows before I could react. I stumbled back, but managed to keep my balance. Now was the time to bring out the big guns.
"Shen-Lung Clan School of Martial Arts Secret Technique," I crowed, "Shadow-Dragon on the Rocks with a Twist!" My fist spiraled out toward Saotome. He dodged to the side, not sure what to do since my attack hadn't shown itself yet. He was still looking confused when I opened my fist and brought it up, fingers clawed toward the sky. He gasped as the ground underneath him exploded upward, releasing a spiral of black energy that surrounded him. He tried to ride the currents, but they were crushing him against the jagged edges of the crater they had just created.
He screamed in frustration. I smiled and watch, centering myself. This was not a finishing assault, but it should have weakened Saotome severely. Finally, the howling winds died down, releasing Ranma from the crater. He stood up, still smoking from the burning energy and pissed as all.
"Fierce Tiger Overbearing!" he shouted. I raised my hand and made a circle in the air with it.
"School of the Void: Void Summoning!" I cried, drawing on my mana rather than my chi. A black hole opened in the air, absorbing the energy blast from Saotome. Ranma snarled, then calmed immediately. I began advancing on him, ready to finish the match. I tried to ignore the grinding pain in my side and back.
"Saotome School of Anything-Goes Martial Arts Secret Technique!" he shouted, turning away from me. "Run! Think! Attack!" He took off like a shot, running away from me. I almost let him go, until I noticed a pattern to his fleeing. A spiral pattern. The 'Rising Dragon Ascending to Heaven' technique. As if Mousse wouldn't recognize the powerful Amazon technique. But Saotome didn't know that I was Mousse. I drew a circle in the dust as he completed the spiral. I was going to have to use a more powerful technique to escape harm this time.
"Rising Dragon Ascending to Heaven!" he screamed, thrusting his fist skyward. It glowed with the intensity of his chi. I licked my lips. The wind immediately picked up and began to twist about me.
"School of the Void: Void Teleportation!" I cried, again drawing on my mana rather than my chi. My voice was lost in the howling winds. I felt my stomach twist inside out and then I was standing behind Saotome, at the edge of the crowd. Few noticed me, since all eyes were on the miniature twister Ranma had summoned up. I gagged slightly and choked up my lunch. *No wonder they call it a 'Void' teleport,* I thought.
The winds from the tornado died down and Ranma was staring at where my broken, battered body should have been. He had drained himself, I could tell, in throwing the 'Hiryu Shouten Ha' twister. He dropped to his knees, staring at where I had disappeared from. Tendou Akane ran out to the field and tried to help him up, but he shook her off. I gathered what little strength I had and stepped back onto the field. Now the students saw me, and the clamor began almost at once.
"Ready to finish this, Saotome?" I asked, grinning. Ranma spun around and stared at me.
"How . . . but . . . no way! How'd you do that?" he sputtered.
"Trade secret," I said cheerily, sounding better than I felt. Saotome was a tougher opponent than I had previously conjectured, and I suppose I was overly-optimistic going into the fight.
After all, I had witnessed Saotome fighting a god, and, after a fierce battle, killing said god. But Saffron had threatened Tendou Akane, and he paid the price. I was no such threat. So I didn't expect to face his full strength. I still wasn't sure that I had.
I stepped forward one more step, then shouted, "Shadow-Dragon Path!" I appeared directly in front of Saotome. But this time, he was expecting it. Tendou Akane gasped and hurried off the field as Ranma threw the first few blows. I blocked him with some effort. The broken ribs in my left side were stiffening up and my back was still not right.
"Royal Chestnut Fist!" Ranma howled, throwing chestnut punches wildly in a devastating assault. There was no way I could block them all. The few I did manage to block were ones that would have been instantly fatal. I was staggered as I fell back, almost tripping over my own two feet. He was trying to kill me.
I felt the blows continue to rain down on me, breaking and shattering vital things inside my body. I felt my ribs splintering and puncturing my lungs. I felt the bones in my arms shatter and split, ripping through muscle and fat. I felt the organs in my abdomen being torn and shredded. I felt the tendons in my neck snapping. I felt my nose shatter and bleed. I felt my left eye explode like a pulped grape and felt my vision blur.
The shock alone should have killed me, but my magic held me together. But not for long. He was killing me. I was going to die at the hands of Saotome Ranma. I tried to ward off the vicious strikes, but I only succeeded in shattering the bones in my left hand and crippling my right. I snarled in anger and pain, my agony-fueled rage overwhelming my good judgment.
"Time to end this little duel, Ranma," I hissed, hearing my own voice bubbling with blood. Painfully, I hooked the first and second fingers in my right hand and struck at Saotome, gurgling, "Shen-Lung Clan School of Martial-Arts Ultimate Attack! Shadow-Dragon Vampiric Strike!" Saotome would have easily blocked the blow, but my fingers ghosted through his upraised hand and sunk into the side of his neck. He screamed in agony, his eyes rolling back in their sockets. I could hear Tendou Akane echoing his screams on the sidelines.
I felt his chi filling my body, healing my wounds and replenishing my drained reserves. I felt the chi continue to fill me, healing and repairing vital things inside my body. I felt my ribs shifting and withdrawing from my lungs. I felt the bones in my arms mend and knit, felt the healing of muscle and fat. I felt the organs in my abdomen being restored and repaired. I felt the tendons in my neck binding back together. I felt my nose snap back into place and heal. I felt my left eye seal up and felt my vision restored.
He had used so much of his own chi in the previous attacks, yet so much remained. I kept draining. After a few seconds, his screams tapered off and he just stood there, shaking. The tendons in his neck were standing out and his eyes were rolled back in his head. His mouth was pulled in a rictus, a macabre parody of a smile. And I kept draining. Soon after, he stopped shaking. He was just hanging there, supported by the two fingers hooked into his neck. And I kept draining. I could feel his spirit collapsing within him.
Just a little more time and it would be over. Saotome Ranma would be completely drained. And then he would be dead. Saotome Ranma would be dead. Ranma would be dead. Would be dead. Be dead. Dead. I heard a scream. I recognized the voice. It was my own.
I withdrew my fingers from his neck, gasping in horror. I'd almost killed him. A few seconds more, and there would have been no recovery possible. I would have drained him completely. I would have killed another man.
A second man.
"What did you do to him???" screamed Akane. I just looked at her blankly. She struck at me wildly, her tears blinding her. I didn't even try to defend myself. I just let her strike me. Buddha, but the girl was strong.
*What had I done,* I asked myself, echoing her question. I had used a devastatingly lethal technique on an opponent in a schoolyard duel. What sort of martial-artist was I? I grabbed Ranma from the ground and lifted him into my arms. He felt so light. I didn't know what I was going to do, but I knew I needed to do something. Fast.
I turned and ran toward Dr. Tofu's clinic.
.oO Part 4 Oo.
I felt lighter and faster and stronger and better than I had in years. I ran. Even carrying Saotome's limp form, I was moving faster than I normally did. Soon, I left everyone behind - Ukyou, Akane, everyone. I sprinted toward Tofu's office. I knew that this surge of power from draining Ranma's chi would not last long. I needed to put it to use while I could. I arrived at Tofu Ono's clinic and broke down the door, not even bothering to try the handle. The good doctor hurried into the room, staring at me in shock.
"Sir, what's going on? What is the meaning of thi..." he stopped, seeing what I had in my arms. "What happened to Ranma?" he gasped, recognizing the limp form in my arms. He led me into an examination room where I laid Saotome on one of the tables. Tofu examined the boy quickly, then began rummaging in a drawer. "His chi has been drained. Violently. What happened to him?" he asked, not even looking at me as he searched. "Certainly not Miss Hinako," he murmured as he turned back to face me. He had a handful of acupuncture needles in his hand.
I heard voices in the lobby. Kuonji Ukyou and Tendou Akane. I considered making a break for it, but decided that I needed to give the doctor information on what had happened. If the doctor heard the girls himself, he said nothing.
"Are you familiar with the Shen-Lung Clan?" I asked quietly. Tofu blinked in surprise and nodded slowly.
"The Chinese shadow mages. Yes, I'm familiar with them." His eyes closed in thought as he processed this information. Then they snapped open and stared at me. "Was this . . . was this a vampiric drain?" I nodded mournfully. He examined me closely. "You did this." It was a statement, not a question. I nodded again.
He lashed out and grabbed my left arm. I was so surprised that I was unable to counter. He forcefully extended my index and middle fingers, then placed them on Saotome's chest. Then he hit two pressure points on my arm. I felt my arm relax. Without another word, he struck two pressure points on Saotome's right shoulder, then tapped the boy's throat once.
I felt as if I were being torn apart from the inside out, as if my very soul were being shredded and then pieced back together with hot irons, then shredded again. I tried to scream, but my throat muscles were spasming so rapidly that nothing came out. Suddenly, the pain ceased altogether, giving way to an icy cold like I had never before felt. I was looking up into the face of Dr. Tofu.
"Rest now," he whispered. I felt a pressure on my neck. Then everything went black.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
*Ceiling tiles. Odd. I don't think I recognize them. *
Such were my first thoughts upon awakening that fateful afternoon. I tried to sit up, but something was restraining me. I gave a swift tug, but whatever it was held firm at my ankles, wrists, neck and chest. Even my fingers and toes were wrapped. Turning my head, I could see Saotome Ranma sitting up on an examination table across from me. Kuonji Ukyou and Tendou Akane were on either side of him, glancing at him worriedly. Behind them, the doctor was reading something from a book. Something was muffling my ears, because I couldn't make out a word they were saying.
I decided to try to shadowwalk across the room, then make a break for the door. A small pool of shadow was cast by the doctor's bookcase, which was near a door. "Shadow-Dragon Path," I whispered. Nothing happened. It was then that I realized that something was blocking my chi. I tried again. Nothing. With my hands and fingers restrained, I couldn't make the marked circle or gestures necessary for a void teleport either. Not that I felt up to it. Far from it. I kept struggling against my restraints. My struggling must have drawn some attention, because Saotome came over and looked down at me.
"Uh, Doc, I think he's awake." I glared at Saotome. Ranma just looked back. He didn't seem particularly upset with me. His two companions, on the other hand . . .
"You bastard! I should castrate you for what you did to Ranchan!" I heard Kuonji hiss. Tofu placed a restraining hand on her shoulder, then pushed past her to stand next to Saotome at the table.
"So. You're awake. I've blocked your chi pathways, for the most part, since I don't want you trying any of those techniques on the rest of us." He smiled grimly. "You almost killed Ranma, but I guess you know that. I managed to save him by transferring some of the chi you stole back into his body. Fortunately, that was enough."
"What do we do with him?" Saotome asked quietly. "I mean, he's been stalking Ucchan, and now this." He had the good grace to look embarrassed as he spoke. "I mean, it was a serious match, but c'mon."
"We should report everything to the police," whispered Akane. She looked at me with a horrified expression on her face. Ranma looked like he wanted to object, but Tofu nodded slowly.
"This was no ordinary sparring match," he said, gazing at me. "Techniques like that don't belong in the hands of men."
"He's no man, Doctor," whispered Ukyou. "He's a monster." The doctor started to say something, when a familiar voice broke in.
"What are you doing to him?"
"We're holding him until the police arrive, Nabiki," Tofu replied. He looked at me with something like sadness.
"What exactly did he do to Ranma out there?" she asked, looking down at me. I grimaced.
"Almost killed him," muttered Kuonji. I was getting sick of this. Time to lay my cards on the table.
"Let me up," I whispered.
"What?" Tofu leaned closer to hear me.
"Let me sit up. I can explain."
Tofu frowned. "What guarantee do I have that you won't try to hurt anyone?" I gazed evenly at him, trying to project a calm I didn't feel.
"I'll vouch for him."
"What?" Ranma spun on Nabiki, who had locked eyes with me as she spoke.
"Nabiki! You know this guy?" Akane cried.
"Yes, and so do you." She continued to watch my face. She was looking for something, but what it was, I had no idea. Tofu, for his part, was already untying and unwrapping me. I could hear Kuonji cursing quietly off to the side, but she didn't interfere.
"Fine," said the Doctor. "Now explain yourself." I sat up and stretched slightly, hearing my bones crack and pop as I twisted my back and head. I nodded my thanks to Nabiki, who only smiled.
"That's two you owe me now," she murmured.
"Very well," I replied. I looked over at the doctor, who was gazing at me curiously. "So," I continued, "on to the explanations." I glanced around the room. "Other than Tendou Nabiki, none of you recognize me?" Saotome, Tendou Akane and Kuonji Ukyou all shook their heads. The doctor continued to watch me, his head cocked to one side like a curious bird. I sighed.
Reaching into my pocket, I retrieved a pair of glasses from the void. Without pulling my hand from my pocket, I undid the ties that kept my long hair back in its ponytail. Allowing my hair to fall free, I withdrew the glasses from their hiding place and put them on. Everything became a coloured blur. I heard Kuonji Ukyou gasp.
"Mousse?" I heard Saotome shout. I nodded, removing the glasses. Tendou Akane was staring at me, wide-eyed. Kuonji Ukyou was shaking her head, hands at her mouth. Saotome Ranma was gaping like a landed fish. And Tofu Ono was nodding slowly, as if finally putting the last piece of an extra-ordinarily difficult puzzle.
"Oh my god, Mousse," whispered Akane, "why?"
"Why what, Tendou Akane?" I asked.
"I think she wants to know why would you try to kill Ranma," Tofu explained. He glanced at Akane, who was nodding while still looking at me. I hung my head.
"What I did was inexcusable, even under the circumstances," I replied. Ranma was still shaking his head, staring at me.
"When did you get so good, man?" he asked.
"I've always been this good, Saotome. There are reasons I chose not to reveal that fact to you, however." I paused, adjusting my still-bloody shirt. "I wish it hadn't come to this. I just wanted to attend school in peace. In anonymity." I sighed. Ranma had cocked his head to one side, watching me curiously. Kuonji Ukyou had left the room silently.
"It was my fault, you know," Ranma finally stated. He lowered his head, looking ashamed. "I was too rough. I wouldn't have been so rough if I'd known it was you." I marveled at how Saotome managed to insult me off-handedly even while he apologized. I started to point out that I had still beaten him, but after glancing around the room at the faces of his friends, I decided that discretion was the better part of valour.
"I shouldn't have used the technique, Saotome. It was dangerous and it was stupid." I paused, eyeing him. Then I bowed low. "I apologize." Ranma puffed up slightly at this, nodding knowingly.
"Yeah, but you couldn't help it. You would have lost otherwise." He smirked triumphantly. Looking up, I was amazed at how much like old Genma the boy was just now. Ignoring him for the time being, I turned to Tendou Akane and bowed low again.
"Tendou-san, I apologize for any distress my actions may have caused you." Akane gazed at me evenly, not acknowledging me. I waited a good two minutes before looking up and turning to Doctor Tofu. Bowing a third time, I began, "Tofu-sensei, I apologize for disturbing you and your clinic. I will pay restitution for any damages incurred." Tofu nodded slowly. "I also wish to thank you for saving Saotome's life. It would have been personally devastating for me to have killed him."
"Yeah, Shampoo would've killed ya," Ranma jeered. He seemed to have recovered completely from what had occurred just a few hours before. I've always been amazed at Saotome's inhuman rate of recovery. Akane looked over at him for a moment, then she slugged him in the arm.
"Baka," she whispered, "you almost died." She turned and ran from the room, her hands over her face. I was in shock, having never seen Tendou Akane like that before. Nabiki, silent all this time, turned to Ranma.
"Well, go after her, 'baka'," she said matter-of-factly, "since you made her cry." Ranma muttered something about 'kawaiikunee unsexy tomboys' and followed Akane out the door. Nabiki watched him, then turned to me.
"Wow. Interesting first day at school," she stated. She picked up her school bag and headed for the door. "I'm really looking forward to your second day," she tossed over her shoulder in parting. Then she was gone.
I released my breath with a whoosh and looked at Tofu. Neither of us seemed to know what to say, so we both remained silent. Suddenly, there was a commotion in the lobby.
"Where stupid duck-boy?"
Shampoo.
"Yes, child, you called us and told us he was here. Explain."
Cologne.
"He's in the back with Doctor Tofu," I heard Kuonji Ukyou say. I started to scan the room for hiding places when a familiar figure appeared in the doorway. Her huge eyes glared menacingly at me from her perch on her walking stick. From her expression, I knew my explanations had better be good, or there would be a new lunch special at the 'Nekohanten.'
Peking duck.
.oO Part 5 Oo.
<"Elder, I can explain,"> I gabbled. Cologne hopped toward me. Shampoo appeared in the doorway behind her. Her expression was, if possible, even more terrifying than Cologne's.
<"Elder Khu-Lon, if I may . . ."> Tofu began in Mandarin. Cologne cut him off with a peremptory wave.
<"This is a private matter, Tofu"> she snapped. <"Please, leave us be. As an Elder of the Joketsuzoku, I must decide just what to do with this . . . this weakling."> Tofu looked like he wanted to say something else, but apparently thought better of it, because he left the room.
Shampoo closed the door behind him. Now it was just me and them. 'Thus it has been, thus it would be,' I thought bitterly.
<"Msu-Tsu, did you try to kill my husband?"> Shampoo hissed. I glanced at her, then shrugged. She lashed out in a stinging blow. I didn't even try to defend myself. To do so would be folly, especially with Cologne there. I touched my cheek, feeling the raised welt her hand had made. Shampoo's eyes were filled with anger.
<"You might as well answer her, Msu-Tsu,"> Cologne said, eyeing me balefully. I sighed and dropped my gaze to my fidgeting hands.
"Saotome challenged me to a fight," I muttered in Japanese.
"So? Mousse challenge husband many times. Why you try kill him now?" Shampoo asked. She seemed genuinely puzzled.
"This was different, Shampoo," I replied, still not meeting her eyes. "He accused me of a crime and challenged me to a duel." I looked up and met her eyes, then looked over at Cologne. "It was trial by combat, Elder. I had no choice." Cologne looked surprised.
"The veracity of the accusations made against you rested upon the outcome of the fight?" she asked, amazed. I nodded. Cologne leaned back some on her stick, eyes still widened in surprise. "I had no idea son-in-law would challenge you to mortal combat."
"Neither did I," I responded. She nodded. Shampoo still wasn't convinced.
"But how you beat Ranma this time, Mousse? Mousse weak stupid duck-boy." She seemed genuinely puzzled. As I gazed into her bewildered face, I found myself briefly wondering what I had ever seen in her. Cologne derailed my train of thought before it left the station.
"That is a valid question, boy," she said. "You've never defeated Shampoo's groom before, and not for lack of trying." She too seemed mildly confused, and not a little concerned.
"Do you question the fact that I did indeed defeat Saotome?" I asked. I had to know.
"Not at all. We questioned several of son-in-law's classmates before coming here. All of them said the same thing." Cologne paused, shaking her head. "They said that you carried son-in-law off of the field of challenge."
"How?" Shampoo snapped. It was a demand, not a question. I pondered my answer. Since they recognized me as the victor in the fight, and they recognized it as a valid challenge, I had nothing to fear from them. I was within my rights as a member of the tribe.
"Have you ever heard of the Shadow-Dragon School of High Sorcery?" I asked. I couldn't keep the sneer out of my voice. Shampoo looked non-plussed, while Cologne registered something she rarely showed.
Fear.
"I have, but what do they have to do with you, lazy boy?" she demanded. I could tell she was covering her surprise with invectives. I was determined not to allow her to get to me. I felt more comfortable with what was happening. I felt untouchable.
"I have trained in the Shen-Lung clan method," I responded flatly. Shampoo still showed no emotion. Cologne looked shocked.
"You? A Shen-Lung initiate?" she gasped.
"Initiate? Ha! I am a past master at the art. My Grand Mastery was recorded for posterity in the annals of our clan two years ago." Cologne was speechless. Shampoo looked unbelieving.
"Silly Mousse, that happen before you come to Japan. Ranma beat you many times since then." Cologne was still in shock.
"Perhaps, Darling Shampoo, he only defeated me because I allowed him to," I huffed in a patronizing tone.
Shampoo scoffed at that. "Why stupid duck-boy do that?"
"What good would defeating him do me?" I replied.
"You try to win Shampoo's hand in marriage!" she snapped.
"I tried to win your LOVE. Defeating you and Saotome in combat would have earned me your hand in marriage, not your love!" I snarled; suddenly, irrationally angered at her obliviousness. Shampoo was taken aback by my vehemence. Before she could respond, however, Cologne spoke up.
"If you have, as you say, been losing your battles on purpose, why start winning them now?"
"Because Saotome didn't fight me for Shampoo. He fought me for my honor. Besides," I smiled as I tapped my temple, "my eyes have been opened to some truths I'd been ignoring lately."
"What about all the other times you've fought others?" Cologne asked.
"Such as?"
"What about in China? When you went after Herb?"
"Why should I use such overpowered techniques against a poor little kid like Mint? I gave him a fair fight using just my hidden-weapons techniques."
"And when you pursued Kirin?"
"Saotome seemed to do just fine without my help." I smiled.
"What about earlier this year, with Saffron?" she interjected.
"Again, he seemed to do just fine without my help."
"Tendou Akane's life was at stake!"
"And I doubt Saotome would have thanked me for saving her instead of letting him accomplish what he was there to accomplish. He had things well in hand. Besides," I smiled grimly, "I was blind then. It would have been too risky to try anything from such a long range."
"You seem to have taken a long-term view of things, Mousse," replied the elder.
"Perhaps," I nodded, "but just the same, I see that I was blind about many things." I looked over at Shampoo. "A great many things." Shampoo flushed pink and looked down.
"And you aren't now?" Cologne jabbed a finger towards my right eye. I caught it between two fingers.
"No. I got . . . better." I smiled. I was feeling chancy tonight, like a risk-taker inside of me was dying to get out. I knew I was on unsteady ground here. I just had to roll the dice and see what came out. I pushed her hand down. She gave token resistance for only a moment before allowing her hand to drop.
"Well, having defeated Saotome now, do you intend to challenge my great-granddaughter?" Cologne queried. I shook my head in the negative.
"No. Shampoo is free to make her own decisions as far as I'm concerned. If she wishes to challenge me, I will take that as acquiescence on her part and fight to defeat her. Otherwise . . ." I left the rest unsaid. Shampoo snarled.
"Shampoo never give blind-duck-boy satisfaction," she hissed. She primped her hair, then turned away from me. "Shampoo go check on Ranma now. Ranma _real_ man." She exited the room quickly. Cologne's gaze never left my face. I closed my eyes and sighed after Shampoo was gone. Whether in relief or distress, I do not know. I just wasn't sure what to feel.
"Well, Mousse, I should punish you for hiding this knowledge from me, but I doubt it would get me anywhere. Besides, Clan Shen-Lung and their techniques have always been immune from the shared-abilities laws of the Joketsuzoku."
The shared abilities laws are laws that forbid an Amazon from learning techniques without sharing them with the Elders Council of the tribe. Ostensibly, the law allows for mutual self-defense in the face of a greater enemy. In reality, it is a way of preventing any tribe member from accumulating more power or knowledge than the Elders Council. Fortunately, the mage clans are immune to those laws. It was the only way to keep the mages from separating and forming their own council.
"And as far as that goes," she continued, "I'm sure you would simply call your sensei if you felt truly threatened." She referred to an Amazon custom that allowed a kohai to summon his master if something threatened him on behalf of the school. "So," she murmured, "who was your teacher?" I smiled, knowing she would love the answer.
"Hrai-Xir." I said the name with no inflection whatsoever. I knew the old ghoul would recognize the name. Cologne blanched at the mention of the ancient one's name.
"Hrai-Xir trained you, boy?" she whispered. I nodded. She shook her head and looked off into space for a moment. "Was he the one who initiated you as Grand Master?" I nodded again.
"Lord Hrai-Xir was my sponsor. He took my assignation and my presentation for Grand Mastery," I replied. She whipped her head around and stared at me.
"If he is accepting assignation for you, has he then chosen an heir already?" she asked. I nodded slowly. Her eyes narrowed. "Who?" she demanded.
"Me." My response was flat, but I knew the effect it would have on Cologne. If the old woman could register any more surprise, she was.
"You? You are Lord Hrai-Xir's heir? You are the heir to the greatest mage, man or woman, that the Triumvirate have ever produced?" She shook her head. "You lie, boy. Hrai-Xir has not chosen an heir in six hundred years. Why would he start now? And why you?"
"I do not lie." I paused, looking Cologne over carefully. "Do you really want to know why he chose me, old ghoul?" I queried. I felt I had the upper hand here. I was determined to press my advantage. I knew what I wanted. I wanted payment from the old woman for the years of hell she had put me through. I sneered at the ancient woman before me. "Where do you think *his* loyalties lie, you shriveled monkey?"
Without warning, Cologne swung her staff at me, primaraly out of reflex, I think. Nevertheless, I caught it easily and flipped it out of her fingers. Twisting it around in my hands, I charged it with dark energies, then touched it with my finger. It vaporized instantly in an expanding cloud of black particles. Cologne gazed at me levelly. I smiled and reached into the void, retrieving an exact duplicate of her staff. I handed it back to her.
"You have talent, boy," she said, taking the new staff from me. I nodded, pleased at her acknowledgement. She hopped toward the door on her stick. "Will you return to the restaurant with Shampoo and I?" I shook my head slowly.
"No, elder," I said, using the term of respect, "I have other work I must complete this evening. I expect to work tomorrow afternoon, however."
Cologne nodded, then, opening the door, hopped from the room. I sagged further back on the table, then hopped up. I waited for a few moments, then walked to the examination room door. I could hear voices in the waiting room. Tofu, Shampoo, Saotome, Kuonji, Tendou Akane and Tendou Nabiki. I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. Everyone grew quiet as I approached the waiting room.
.oO Part 6 Oo.
"So," muttered Kuonji Ukyou as I approached, "they let you go, huh?" She was watching me warily, but with less animosity than before. I nodded slowly, not sure exactly what to make of the looks I was receiving. I turned to Doctor Tofu.
"Doctor, I would appreciate it if you would reverse these pressure points you applied. I'm still feeling weak." I made the request with as much dignity as I could muster, considering the circumstances. Tofu looked at Tendou Akane for a second, then glanced at Tendou Nabiki. He paused, then seemed to come to a decision. Nodding, he gestured for me to turn around. I felt him touch four points on my back, then tap a point inside my right collarbone. Instantly, the chi that had been denied to my body came flooding back. I wobbled slightly, feeling dizzy from the headrush.
"There," Tofu said, helping me sit down in a chair, "that should help." He glanced back at Tendou Akane, who was gazing at me with open disapproval. He then turned back to me. "I hope I never have to do anything like that again, Mousse." I nodded weakly. I turned to Saotome.
"I hope you realize now I'm not the one who has been harassing Kuonji Ukyou, Saotome," I said. Saotome nodded slowly, watching my expression. I tried my best the maintain it's neutrality. I continued. "I want to help you find the person who did it." I paused. "Will you allow me to?" Saotome started to answer, but was interrupted.
"No! No way in hell, you Chinese bastard!" Kuonji Ukyou hissed. "You think we're going to let you off the hook for what you did to Ranchan? Think again!" I winced at her tone.
Ranma shook his head and stepped between me and Kuonji. "I'd like any help you've got, Mousse," he stated. "If you think you can find this guy, be my guest." He turned to Kuonji Ukyou. "Ucchan, we need to find this guy." His tone brooked no dissent. "Mousse might be able to help."
"Ranchan . . . " Ukyou pleaded, "he hurt you." Her eyes begged for understanding.
"C'mon, Ucchan," He grinned cockily. "I always bounce back, and," he turned to me, "I always win in the end." His grin was infectious. The whole thing was a game for him, like soccer or baseball. I sighed, feeling a smile forming on my own lips against my will. Kuonji snorted.
"Ranchan, I can't forgive him for hurting you."
Ranma turned back to Kuonji. "Ryouga's hurt me before. So have a lot of people." He gazed at her significantly. She lowered her eyes as he stepped across to her. "Besides," he began, then leaned forward and began whispering something in her ear. Her eyes went wide for a moment, losing focus. He finished and drew back, watching for a reaction. She blinked, then turned to him, her eyes full of tears.
"I'm sorry, Ranchan, I'm so sorry," she sobbed, throwing herself into his arms. He patted her back awkwardly and made shushing noises. Tendou Akane and Shampoo both looked annoyed. Ukyou unfolded herself from Saotome and turned to me. "I'd also appreciate your help, Mousse-san," she whispered in a quavering voice. I blinked. Surprise doesn't begin to describe my emotions at this sudden turn-around on the part of Kuonji Ukyou. I nodded slowly.
"I will assist in any way I can," I said, a little stiffly. I was still in shock over her reversal. She nodded, sniffling slightly and casting teary looks at Saotome, who was pretending to not notice. Tendou Akane came over and grabbed Saotome's arm.
"C'mon Ranma, let's get home. We're gonna be late." Saotome nodded and followed her out the doorless frame. Shampoo scurried after them.
"Airen, wait for Shampoo!" she called, leaping through the hole where the door had been. I blinked as they disappeared. I looked over at Kuonji, who was composing herself, embarrassed to have made such a public emotional display. I cleared my throat, then spoke.
"Ano...Kuonji Ukyou, if I could see the letters the stalker has been sending you, I might better understand what is happening." I watched as she walked toward the door. She turned slowly back to me.
"I'll go and get them out. Meet me back at the 'Ucchan's', okay?" She stepped through the door without another word. I looked over at Tofu. He shrugged and walked back to his examination room. I was left alone in the waiting area with Tendou Nabiki. She was leaning against the wall, having watched the entire goings on in silence. I stood and bowed slightly to her.
"Well, I guess I'd better be going, Tendou-san. I will see you in school tomorrow?" I wanted to leave immediately, but she was standing too close to the door for me to leave without acknowledging her.
"Actually, Mousse, I was hoping to get an okonomiyaki. Walk with me to 'Ucchan's', hm?" She smiled as she said it, but it wasn't a request. I sighed. I still owed her, maybe more than I knew. I suspected she had taken my part with the others when I had been in the examination room with Cologne and Shampoo. I moved toward the door. As I passed her, she took my arm gently. I wasn't sure what to do, so I just kept walking. She walked with me.
"So," I said, not sure exactly how to carry on a conversation with the mercenary Tendou sister. I suspected anything I said could and would be used against me at a later date.
"So," she replied, phrasing it as if she were agreeing with me. She was still holding my arm. It wasn't a possessive gesture, but I wasn't sure it was a friendly one either. There were too many questions when it came to Tendou Nabiki. "Ukyou certainly changed her mind in a hurry, didn't she?" she said. I nodded uncertainly.
"Indeed. I wonder what Saotome said to her." I really had no idea, and I was rather curious to know. I glanced at the mercenary girl next to me. Tendou Nabiki smiled slightly, but kept her eyes straight ahead.
"What's it worth to you to know?" she queried. I groaned inwardly. Talk about a difficult conversation to carry on. I shrugged slightly. "Another favor?" she persisted. I shrugged again. "I'll take that as a yes, Mousse." she said finally. She waited for a few moments, no doubt building the dramatic tension for me. Examining the nails of her free hand, she continued, "I suspect that he reminded her of the time she and Shampoo ruined his wedding. He didn't have to forgive her for that, but he did."
I mentally slapped my forehead. Of course. That had to be it. I had been present for the failed wedding, of course. I had been a combination groomsman and anti-Shampoo defense. I glanced up to see the curtain-banner bearing the kana for 'Ucchan's' on it up ahead. Suddenly, something came to me. I smiled down at Tendou Nabiki.
"I see. You realize, of course, that the promised favour was to know what Saotome said to Kuonji, not what you suspect he said." My smile widened slightly. "So don't expect payment until you deliver, Tendou Nabiki." Rather than registering surprise, Nabiki only smiled.
"Excellent, Mousse," she said. She reached up and patted my cheek patronizingly. "There might be hope for you yet." She looked up and saw the sign. "Well, it appears we've arrived." I nodded. She disengaged herself from my arm. I was relieved, to be sure, but I was also mildly disappointed, though I wasn't sure why. I held the door open for her, then followed her in.
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Authors Notes:
This is, primarily, a character piece, which means that combat sequences will in all likelyhood be short and to the point. I don't like writing them, anyway.
Mousse beating Ranma - an impossibility. I hear you. And I disagree. But my theories are completely non-canon. So consider it to be yet another strange aspect of being in the wildly popular and strangely addictive "Gendou Alternaverse(tm)(patent pending)" . . .
Besides, Ranma wouldn't have lost if Mousse hadn't tried to kill him. 'course, Mousse wouldn't have tried to kill him if Ranma hadn't tried first . . . 'course . . . (ok, this is getting old) . . .
Comments, criticism, et al, are always appreciated, public or private.
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