This 'should' be fast to C&C ^_^;

Over one month later...

Earth and Sky -- Twilight

aka EAST

The most recent fic for Compass Points was WEST.

Will we see one for NORTH and/or SOUTH?  Still hasn't been shown how
Shampoo and Herb got together...

A 'Compass Points' Side-Story

   And a Ranma 1/2 fanfiction

   Disclaimer: Takahashi's paints, my easel.

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

   [Predawn]

   ***

   Legend speaks to us of Shen-Lung, the great dragon that supports the
palace of the gods in the heavens.

Legend also tells of the time that Shen-Lung sneezed, causing one of
the buildings to topple over.

   ***

   His eyes glowed. He was guessing about that.

   He couldn't see them himself, but people were shying away more than
normal.

Ryuu: Could also do with the fact I haven't bathed for a few days.

   The thing of it was... he couldn't quite decide how that should make
him feel.

Ryuu: Well, at least I'll always get a table in any restaurant.

   ***

   Shen-lung was the greatest of the dragons, and his powers were nearly
as great as the gods' were.

   ***

   She worked the surface before her slowly, scraping it clean, though
her thoughts were elsewhere.

Ukyou

   Her love... was gone. As Nabiki told it, frozen to death along
with... her.

Early on Ukyou wouldn't be able to forgive Akane for having caused all
this.

   She paused, staring at her reflection for a moment. What should she
feel? If he had abandoned her and lived, then it would be anger... but
he loved deeply enough to throw his life away for... her.

The event also tells Ukyou that Ranma did love Akane.

   ***

   At the Wheel of the Ages turned, Man changed, no longer believing in
the fey as they once had.

Might want to tell what 'fey' means at the end of the story.

   ***

   He wondered, for a moment, if his shadow were a true reflection of
who he was.

   When he looked, it showed the outline of a person... an outline most
were loathe to allow to fall across their paths.

   But his reflection in pools spoke of something else.

So he's started to change.

   ***

   Disbelief in the fey changed them... warped them... and slowly,
unmade them.

So those who were fey started to lose their powers as less people
believed in them?

   ***

   She mused idly, toying with a sharp implement of many uses.

   For cutting flesh, of course.

Guess Ukyou couldn't handle it in the beginning...

   But animal, or vegetable, or... her own?

Maybe change it to 'Be it animal,'?

   ***

   [Sunrise]

The next part of the fic.

   Ryu glanced about him, ignoring the dragon-shadow that trailed him,

So now his shadow also changed.

moving against the sun rather than with it. Something that he would
learn to live with, he decided. Not something to worry about. Now, at
any rate.

   He frowned, wondering where he would go next. He could feel
himself... changing... as time passed. He wasn't certain how, or even
why... but he could feel more.

Which probably happened to all the others as well.

   He _felt_ his steps on the Earth, not just in his own feet, but in
the soil itself. "Hmm..." he mused, wondering. Hunger no longer touched

So Ryuu's the part associated with Earth.

him as it had, unless he wanted it to. But he longed to feel that,
sometimes. "Food," he murmured, heading back towards the city. Perhaps a

Thus leading him to his fateful meeting with Ukyou ^_^

time to meet with old acquaintances.

He didn't hear about Ranma, did he?

   ***

   "And then what happened to the dragon, Daddy?"

So it's being narrated by someone... sort of like a flashback...

   "Well, as I remember it, the dragon that the princess so loved
perished... he fell to the ice, and could struggle no more."

Dragon = Ranma, Princess = Ukyou

   "And the princess?"

   "Ah, there's another story..."

Ryuu: (Rubbing the bump on his head while glaring at Ukyou) It's still
there, you know.
Ukyou: Is it my fault you were too slow?

   ***

   She cocked her head to one side, offering the same smile she always
did for her customer. That he felt more... off... than the normal
customer meant nothing to her. Her own 'otherness' was obvious -- all of

Probably because it's normal for those in Nerima.  Only those who have
the power could notice it in others?

Also, does this mean that Ukyou knows what her power is or that she
knows that she's different?

them felt it. Closeness to Ranma, perhaps? Or perhaps it was just the
place, and Ranma was another victim.

   He smiled genially, studying her grill more than her. "You take good
care of this," he said, gesturing.

   She raised an eyebrow at that. "I do," she admitted. "You're...
'Gifted'?"

Ryuu: (Sweeps Ukyou off her feet) In more ways than one, baby.

(Suddenly a huge spatula impacts against the top of Ryuu's head)

   ***

   "But what's the story?"

   "Well, then the princess met another dragon, and this one was much
quieter, and still. Not the rushing, raging torrent that her first was,
but a strong, steady presence."

Sounds like Ukyou's narrating this part.

   "What's a torrent?"

   "An uncontrolled storm. And the first dragon loosed his might and
perished because of it."

A mistake! ^_^;

loosed -> lost

   ***

   He frowned. "Gifted? What do you mean?"

   She waved dismissively. "It's mostly something they don't like to
talk about, but sometimes... people are starting to change. You know.

Those who change don't like to talk about it?

Develop powers and stuff." She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "I have a
friend who can see with his eyes closed. Things like that?"

So Mousse finally got some sort of sight... unless she's talking about
Konatsu.

Whatever happened to those two anyway?

   He nodded slowly. "I suppose. I don't know what it is... just that...
I can hear things. Metal, earth... you know?" She shrugged, handing him
a plate, burdened with its fresh meal. "For example," he said, taking a
bite of the okonomiyaki, "I can tell that you no longer cook with the
same passion you once did."

Is it me or do all the dragons have a common foot in the mouth problem?

   ***

   "And what was the new dragon like?"

   "He was just as much a jackass as the first one."

Hehehe... yup, it's Ukyou ^_^

   "What?"

   "He annoyed the princess to no end, because he was simply too calm,
too... placid."

More like he said the insults in too much of a calm manner ^_^

   ***

   Ryu snatched the flung spatula out of the air almost absently, the
blade missing his head by mere inches. "I'm guessing that's a sore spot."

   The girl -- woman, truly -- growled at him. "I don't need to listen

Should be obvious who's narrating this ^_^

to this! I don't need to listen to _you_!"

   "No," he said, agreeably. "You don't. Do you want me to leave?"

   ***

   "Did the princess banish the new dragon?"

Sound like the parents are telling it in the form of a fairy tale.

   "No, she decided to be patient, and bear with his foolishness."

Child: Why?  Was the princess lovesick?

(Ryuu starts laughing but stops when Ukyou glares back at him)

   "And then what happened?"

   "What do you suppose happened?"

Child: (As innocently as possible) They went to bed and had hot, wild
sex?
Ukyou and Ryuu: Not... quite...

   ***

   He laughed, not moving in time to avoid being struck over the head
with a much larger spatula, and get knocked to the floor. "Ow!"

Heh

Also: get -> got (?)

   She snorted, shaking her head and sheathing the weapon. "Jackass,"
she muttered.

   There was a long moment of silence as he lay on the floor. "So," she
said, finally breaking the stillness. "You going to keep talking?"

Not while he's unconscious...

   ***

   "They lived happily ever after?"

   "Um... not right away."

   "What happened, Daddy?"

   "Ah... let's tell that story later."

Heh

   ***

   [Noon]

Some time later?  Maybe a few months?

   "So," he said plainly, eating another Okonomiyaki. "This one tastes
like... curiosity, and good will. I suppose you're getting over him?"

   She scowled, but nodded after a moment. "I guess."

That's nice to see.

   He grinned, setting the empty plate down. "There you have it."

   Shaking her head, she leaned back against the counter, sighing. "Why
do you think we've changed the way we have? I mean... I think that
you've changed more, but..." she trailed off, cocking her head at Ryu
curiously.

   He shrugged after a moment. "I don't know," he admitted. "I feel...
like I'm part of something greater. Like parts of me are missing, or
something." He sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know why I was
given... anything. I just know that I was."

   She sighed, frowning petulantly. "Now that's just not fair. What was
I given?"

Doesn't seem like she found out even at the end.

   "A really nice --" he cut himself off, coloring, and choked out, "a
really nice sense of humor."

Heh

   She eyes him skeptically, her eyes narrowing as she reached for her
spatula. "Oh?" she asked.

   "Um... yes."

That's gonna hurt ^_^

   ***

   "You come in here all the time. Where do you _live_, anyway?"

Ryuu: Umm... here?
Ukyou: Wrong answer.

   He looked away for a moment, digging in his pocket for change.
"Around," he admitted after a moment. "Mostly wherever I can find a spot
to sleep."

   She frowned, wondering at that. "I see," she offered after a moment.

   He smiled genially, something about him shifting and becoming... less
noticeable... as a trio of customers walked in.

Hmm... this the Umi-senken?

   Ukyou turned towards them, greeting automatically, "Welcome to Ucch--
Nabiki! How have you been?"

   The brown-haired woman brushed her hair back, her young daughter
asleep and nestled in her arms. "Pretty good, Ukyou. How has everything
been going for you?"

Hmm... Nabiki's still in High School at the moment?  Or is this a few
years after the incident with Ranma and Akane?

   Ukyo's smile widened, turning more sincere. "Fine, fine. Just talking
with Ryu-chan. Who's the kid?"

Nabiki knows that Ryuu's around?

   Nabiki flushed, handing the sleeping girl to her husband. Tofu
accepted the child, taking a seat near Ryu. "Well," Nabiki explained,
twiddling her thumbs. "Um... after... after the..." Her flush and smile
faded. "Tofu and I... Ukyou, meet our daughter, Ranko."

Seems they both did a few things before coming back to Nerima with the
news ^_^

   Ukyou blinked in shock, her mouth falling open. "You..." she managed
after a moment, staring at Tofu incredulously. "And you?"

I'm also shocked ^_^

Hmm... maybe one of the two remaining sidestories could deal with how
they got together?

   Nabiki's guilty flush and smile returned. "Um... yes."

Nabiki: Not that I regret it or anything... Though the fact that Tofu-
chan doesn't have anywhere near as much money as Kun... I'm just
kidding!

   ***

   Ryu dropped his guise of subtlety, watching the departing trio. Ukyou
sighed, shaking her head. "I want a family like that, someday."

Considering she's let go of Ranma, it should be easier here.

   The man rolled his eyes. "That's _easy_," he said. "You just have to
find someone, and go for it."

Comma necessary?

   "It's that easy?" she asked, bemused.

   "Yep."

Ukyou: Hmm... I know!
Ryuu: (Getting interested) Yes?
Ukyou: I'll ask Shinnosuke!  He's nice enough.

(Ryuu facefaults)

   ***

   [Sunset]

Sounds like a few years since their first meeting.

   Ukyou waited calmly.

   War.

   It was in the news, it was all people would talk about... and it was
probably coming to Japan, soon.

This the war in China that caused it to separate?

   It had already killed her business...

Why would people stop coming if it's not in Japan?

   Sighing, she took a seat at one of the stools opposite the grill.
Konatsu had taken his leave earlier, and Ukyou hadn't minded, since
business was so slow.

Guess that partly answers my earlier question.  So Konatsu was around
for the initial Ukyou/Ryuu meeting.

   Someone plodded in to her restaurant, and she raised an eyebrow in
response. "Was wondering when you'd come."

So he hasn't been around there for some time?

   Ryu looked pale, nodding. "I... hurt," he offered by way of apology.

   "What are you talking about?"

   He slumped to a seat near her. "They... they wound the Earth."

   "What?"

   He gestured to the small radio that Ukyou had turned off to save
electricity, and explained, as the radio seemed to tune itself, "They
are using nuclear weapons."

Ryuu's able to control it?

   A burst of static, and then a voice came, confirming his words.

   ***

   He opened his eyes, seeing the dim light of the fading sun against
the ceiling. "The hurt..." he began, his tongue feeling thick, almost as
though it were trying to keep him from speaking, "is lessened..."

How long after the previous scene?

   Ukyou shifted from her position at his side, laying a cool cloth over
his forehead. "Hush... just rest, you'll get better."

   "Yes..." he said, fading back into sleep. "I will..."

Nice scene.  Shows that Ukyou cares for Ryuu.

   ***

   Ryu idled, lounging against the far wall of the restaurant, still
suffering momentary bouts of dizziness.

I guess this means the war is over.

   Ukyou studied him for a long moment, considering. "You know what?"
she asked.

   He glanced towards her. "What's that?"

   "I've decided."

   He blinked, surprised. "Decided what?"

   "To start a family."

   "Oh," he said, confused. "That's... good." After a moment, he
frowned. "With who?"

Showing a bit of jealousy there...

   Rolling her eyes, she looked out at the sky, already darkening from
the onset of the nuclear winter that the wars had promised. "You,

jackass."

That's... a different way of telling someone that you love them.

   ***

   [Twilight]

Nice touch with labeling each part with different times of the day.

   In a forest north and east of Tokyo, one ravaged by the wars opened
his eyes, and saw. "Brothers?" he whispered.

... Right before the Dragon's mouth swallowed him whole.

So this was when Shinnosuke started to change?  Don't know if the four
changed at the same time or not.  Though if that was the case, it would
be impossible for Ranma since he's still frozen (I'm guessing he
changed some time before his final confrontation).

   ***

   There simply wasn't enough faith, enough strength... enough _need_
for him.

   ***

   The animals of the forest responded to his bidding, as he rose,
riding an errant gust of wind across the lake that housed a... cousin...
to him.

So that means that the Orachi aren't one of the four.

   ***

   And in the end, Shen-Lung unmade himself, casting himself into four
pillars, which would maintain and fulfill his function when it was
needed. No longer the dragon, he was...

>From what Ryuu said earlier, obvious that he's one of them.  And since
Ranma was referred to as a dragon, he's another.

   ***

   "Yes... " he said slowly, as sixteen bright eyes watched him
fearfully from beneath the water. "You are only my cousin. You are not
my brother."

Sounds like Shinnosuke's the third dragon.

   ***

   The King of Cups, of Swords, of Coins, of Staves...

Four dragons.  Probably obvious who the fourth is.

   ----------------------------
   Author's notes:

   Though it's not likely that anyone remembers, this was written at Mr.
Sommer's request/suggestion. :p

Hmm... I think it was Bjorn who asked about Ukyou/Ryuu.

   Probably a bit too surreal, but it helps explain some elements that
are helpful towards understanding act three and four of Compass Points.

Overall, a very nice story.  Not many mistakes.  Gave a believable way
for Ukyou and Ryuu to get together (and was different from 'Saido').
Also it's nice to read Ukyou stories now and then ^_^

Ginrai
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