Nerima, Partings and Meetings
Ep. Eight of Cas of Blues Series
by Thom Keehn
zinyadel@hotmail.com

Ranma 1/2 characters and places belong to Rumiko Takahashi.  They are
used without permission throughout this work.  This is written without
the intent of monetary gain and shall not be distributed under such
pretenses.  This is meant for entertainment purposes only and shall
not be used in any way to harm animals.  This is and shall ever be the
last time I write a disclaimer of my own.  At least for this series.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Finally... the characters... are in Nerima!!!!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Early monday morning at the Kyoto station, Ryuu stood with his
companions as Cas gave her best wishes to Zenkei's team... well at
least two of them.  Fujiiro was already in the train reserving seats
and there still was no sign of Tsubasa since yesterday morning.
Gyosha gave Cas a curt bow and stepped up onto the train.

"If you ever want to find me, ask Ukyou," Gyosha said with a feigned
smile to Ukyou.  "Or better yet, a phonebook.  My family is the only
Zenkei in Osaka."

Ukyou glowered at him and huffed, turning away with her eyes closed
in distaste.  Ryuu rolled his eyes.  He still wasn't certain what was
between these two.  'Ex-boyfriend,' he guessed.

After saying goodbye to Cas, Kiten approached him.  She was wearing a
pastel green, short-sleeved blouse with white buttons and puffy lace
cuffs.  The shirt was tucked into jean shorts that were bright white.
She had her gloves and tail on, much to the embarrassment of
everyone.  Still she smiled at him.

She bowed to him, greenish hazel eyes locked on him.  "It was fun
meeting you," she said, softening her smile.  "You and your friend,"
she paused, glancing to Ryouga, "fight very well.  I want to see you
again, Ryuu."  She slipped a hand into a pocket of her shorts and
pulled out a tiny card.  "Catch you later."  She handed him the card.

He took it, bowing respectfully.  She did the same and hastily
pounced off into the train.

Cas waved at the trio, who waved back through the window as the train
began to move.  Ryuu noted Ukyou wasn't the least bit happy, with her
arms crossed and staring off elsewhere.  Cas sighed as the train
pulled out of sight.  The blond spun to face the group, piglets
swinging along the way.

"I checked the prices for going to Tokyo," Cas announced.  She began
to walk out of the station.  Ryuu and the others followed without
comment.  "I should have more than enough to cover our expenses."

"So off to the bank?" Ryouga ventured, keeping up with them.

"No," Cas answered.  "The money won't be available till sometime late
afternoon.  I forgot London is a bit behind us in time.  I figure we
will head out of here early morning tomorrow so we can have a full
day to explore Tokyo before heading into Nerima."

They had walked into a public park near the station.  Cas was heading
straight for a bench, her intentions clear.  Ukyou was still miffed
about something.  He had half a mind to ask, but he didn't want to
intrude in her business least she intrude in his.

Cas sat down, gesturing for the others to do the same.  Ryouga sat on
the bench across the sidewalk.  Ryuu joined him, letting himself
sprawl comfortably on his half of the bench.  Ukyou sat down as far
from Cas as possible.  Ryuu sensed it had little to do with Cas
personally, but he could see Cas wasn't taking it that way.  'Not
another fight,' he sighed.

"So, Ukyou," Cas stated in a challenging tone.  Ryuu sighed.  "Care
to share what your problem is with Gyosha and Kiten?  Or is it just a
bad day?"

Ukyou scowled at Cas before looking away.  Ryuu reluctantly slid out
of his restful pose, bringing his feet to the ground as he leaned
forward, elbows on knees.  He clasped his hands together.  "What
exactly did you do last night, Cas?" he asked.  "I mean with the pool
table."

Cas flashed a mischievous smile.  Her eyes narrowed, coyly.  "I'll
tell if she gives what's bothering her so much that she has to treat
us like we have a contagious illness," Cas declared.

"That's not exactly a fair trade," Ryuu remarked, tilting his head.
"You ask for something personal in exchange for something that
isn't."

Cas stuck her tongue out, but almost instangly her features turned
thoughtful.  Her tongue disappeared back inside as her blue eyes lit
up.  "Explain your yamasen-ken and you have a deal."

Ryuu turned the thought over in his head.  'It's not that personal,'
he reasoned.  "Okay," he yielded.  "The yamasen-ken is a technique
created to break into things, generally houses.  The motions learned
in the process of mastering this art, creates a unique style of
fighting."

"I could imagine," Cas said, letting out a low, disinterested
whistle.  "Ever break into a place?"

Ryuu shook his head.  "I was not aware of the 'purpose' of this
training until after I had mastered most of it," Ryuu explained.  "I
trained myself in this art from a scroll my father left behind after
his 'passing'.  The scroll mentioned nothing of this 'purpose'."

"Intriguing," Cas said, her eyes showing truth to her words.  She
then smiled.  "As promised, what you saw last night was magic."

Ukyou snorted.  Ryuu wasn't sure what to think.  He noted Ryouga
wasn't the least bit surprised by this, but that didn't say much.
Ryouga might not have been listening.  "Magic?" he repeated.

"True magic," Cas stated.  "You know, like fairy tale magic."  Cas
paused.  "Okay, not fairy tale magic but fantasy magic.  Ever read
any fantasy fiction?"

Ryuu shook his head.  "You'll have to explain to me," he admitted.
"I mean, obviously you can lift things without touching them and move
them.  I don't know how that is possible, but it makes sense.  It
would explain how you moved so quickly in the race and how you
avoided falling when Karen cut your line in the contest."

"And that's only a small portion of what I can do," Cas declared
proudly.  "Honestly, I don't know how to explain how I do it.  I
reach out with my mind to communicate with the energy about me, and
if I do it right, the energy behaves according to my wishes."

Ryuu thought about that carefully.  "Sounds easy," Ryuu said with a
shrug.  "Still have no clue how you do it.  I mean, if I think, 'Hey
wind, lift me up', I don't find myself off the ground."

Cas offered a faint grin.  "It's a little more complicated than that,
but I don't know how to explain it any differently," Cas admitted.
"I'm the only person I know of that can do this.  Whatever I'm doing,
it's not something any person can do.  It's like your martial arts.
No matter how much some people train, they will never be as good at
it as you are.  I view my magic in the same way.  Some people train
their minds so well that they can learn something borderline magical,
but not many will ever be able to do what I do."

"Magic doesn't exist," Ukyou scoffed.  "What you speak of sounds more
like telekinesis more than anything 'magical'."

Cas turned her eyes up, thoughtful.  "Well, I might agree with
telekinesis in some situations," Cas drawled.  She grinned at Ukyou.
"However I am no telepath as I can't get a thought, let alone a word
in, to convince you to tell us what's going on between you and Gyosha
other than the whole engagement thing."

Ukyou was on her feet, glaring down at Cas.  "I don't want you
talking about that!" Ukyou growled, hands clenching into tight fists.
"I don't want word of that getting around in Nerima."

Ryuu got up and quickly intervened, stepping into Ukyou's line of
sight.  "Hey," Ryuu stated, his palms up, facing the angry spatula
wielder.  "It explains a lot of the tension I've sensed between you
and him.  I promise I won't say a word of this in Nerima."

Cas snorted.  "That's no surprise," Cas stated.  "Yea, Ukyou,
whatever you say is safe.  I won't tell and Ryouga wouldn't know how
to tell anyone, that is if he's even paying attention."

"Hey!" Ryouga protested.  "I'm listening."  His face scrunched up in
thought.  "Er... um... what were we talking about?"

Ukyou looked like a pot, simmering over.  "Why do you even care what
is going on in my life?" Ukyou demanded.  "Don't you have problems of
your own to worry about?"

Ryuu opened his mouth to speak, but Cas beat him to it.  "Of course
we do," Cas admitted.  "I personally love to hear about other
people's problems so I don't waste my life away, worrying about
mine."

Ryuu rolled his eyes.  He then gave Ukyou what he hoped was a sincere
look.  "I truly want to know," he said.  "You can't tell me nothing
is wrong when you flattened my face in."

Ukyou puffed out a quick breath, averting her eyes to the ground.
She looked up, pointing a finger at him.  "I would...." she began,
but paused looking away again.  "You don't understand.  Yes, Gyosha
was almost engaged to me.  He didn't accept."  She met his gaze.  "It
was a stupid idea, and it just happened to hit me at one of my low
points in my life.  I was trying to get Ranma out of my life when I
get a letter from pops saying 'hey, I've found a nice young man you
can marry to restore the family honor'.  So I figure, why not?  And
Gyosha got one look at me and boy did that end."  She looked over
Ryuu's shoulder at Cas.  "Granddad terminated the relationship
officially to save face.  I guess I owe Gyosha that much for allowing
Granddad to end it."

"Does Gyosha know you're a girl?" Cas asked.

"Yes," Ukyou stated through gritted teeth.  "He knew all along.  It
wouldn't be so bad if he didn't poke fun at my family and me with his
offhand remarks."

"It's no big deal," Cas said dismissively.  "I'm sure it is just
thoughtlessness on his part.  It's not like you like him or something
so why worry about it."

"Because I worry about how I look!" Ukyou shouted, tears in her angry
eyes.  "I have been shunned throughout my entire childhood as a girl.
The few times I even felt treated like a girl were so few and far in
between, and half of those were done by people that thought I was boy
who did it out of spite to make me feel bad.  I had all but given up
on being a girl entirely until I ran into Ranma, a boy who was
engaged to me at an early age that ran out on me, whom I had sworn to
hunt down and beat to an inch within his life.  And of course not
only did he beat me, but he had the gall to say I was cute.  That
threw me entirely.  And since then I was doing everything in my power
to bring out that cuteness he saw in me to win him from his other
fianc�es. It didn't work and then he nearly got married and I just
couldn't take it any longer.  I threw him out, banned him from my
shop but he wouldn't stay away.  So I fled Nerima and Gyosha just
happened to be the first person to remind me that I'm not cute."

"And the thing with Kiten?" Cas ventured.

Ukyou paused, formulating a response.  "Just look at Kiten," Ukyou
said, shrugging.  "I would kill to be that confidant about my looks."
Ukyou sat down hard onto the bench.  "I'm afraid to do what she does.
To be that open.  Because then everyone can see who I want to be.
It's much easier to handle rejection when they only see what I want
them to see."

Ryuu sat down on the bench between the two girls.  "Ukyou," he said
softly.  "We all have our problems."  He glanced over to Ryouga, who
wasn't showing any signs of paying attention.  "Well, maybe not
Ryouga."  Ukyou snorted a laugh despite her tears.

Ryouga looked up curious as to why the conversation had turned to
him.

"Yea, Ukyou," Cas said cheerily.  "My father has all but disowned me.
He's already forbidden my brothers from talking to me."  Ryuu turned
to regard Cas, arching an eyebrow.  "It was on my last phone call."
She paused, finding a sudden interest in her hands.  "We haven't
exactly been on speaking terms.  More like him shouting at me and I
making fun of him every other word.  I lied to you, Ryouga."

Ryouga looked up.  "What?"

"This trip wasn't a present.  My dad threw me out.  He told me never
to come back," Cas said softly.  "He gave me enough money to last me
the summer."

"And you tried calling him for more money?" Ryuu ventured.

"Yea, but he didn't give in," Cas stated.  "I drew my money from what
my mother left me in her will.  She gave me half of her savings, as I
was the only daughter while the other half was divided among my three
brothers as according to her last will.  I was quite reluctant to use
it.  It's the only thing I have of my mother.  My father destroyed
every last trace of my mother when she died.  Even my brothers don't
know why he did that, but it leaves me with no pictures, no
possessions of hers to hold onto in her remembrance.  All I have of
her is that account."  Cas paused, and met Ukyou's gaze.  "I was
pulled out of private schools when I was ten.  Since then I've lived
with my brothers, the youngest of them four years older than me.
There were some women tutors, but they weren't mothers or even
friends.  They all said I was too serious, too withdrawn."  Cas
laughed, flashing a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes.  "So I
keep up this nonchalant fa�ade.  I'm afraid people won't like me, as
me.  And if they don't like what I present, I take some comfort in
the fact that they don't know who I really am."

"Cas, you don't need to put up an act for me," Ryuu declared.  "I see
through half the things you do and say, now that I know you better."

"But how can you know me?" Cas demanded, shrugging her shoulders.
"Ask me an objective question and I will have an answer.  Ask me a
subjective question and I can give you a lengthy debate.  But ask me
who I am, how I feel, or even what I should do to patch things up
with my father, I only have one answer.  I don't know.  Am I to kiss
his feet?  Am I to say, 'hey dad, I know you treat me like dirt but
that's okay because I am dirt'?  I don't know what to do."

"Only you can answer those questions," Ryuu said softly.  "Some
things other people can't answer for you."  He paused.  'I can't
believe I'm going to say this.'  He sighed.  "I killed my mother."
Both girls' eyes widened.  Feeling their reaction, Ryuu quickly added,
"No, I don't mean I actually did any harm to her.  Genma Saotome gave
my father the scroll for the yamasan-ken.  My father was never told of
the dangers of the technique.  He died when our dojo collapsed in on
him from his training to master this technique."

"That sounds like the Genma Saotome I know," Ukyou commented grimly.

Ryuu nodded, mustering the courage to continue.  "I swore upon that
day to master the technique and to learn the rival technique, the
umisen-ken.  With both techniques, I swore to rebuild our family
dojo.  I swore this to my mother, at the age of five, that I would do
this and never return until I succeeded."

"Forgive me for being blunt, but that was dumb," Cas declared.

Ryuu hung his head.  "I know that," Ryuu admitted.  "It was a stupid
idea.  It was so incredulous that I don't think my mother took me
seriously until after I was gone."

"You can always go see her," Ukyou prompted, a hand on his arm.

Ryuu shook his head.  "I can't," his voice breaking.  He firmed his
voice before continuing.  "She's dead.  I killed her.  I abandoned
her right after she lost her husband.  I was only five.  I didn't see
how she would take that, losing everything she loved.  I thought
she'd be proud.  But she died."  He looked up, searching Ukyou's eyes
for comfort.  "And what scares me most is to think it was all for
nothing.  You heard my quest.  Do you think it was worth the life of
my mother?  I have to think so or she truly did die for nothing."  He
hung his head again, studying his feet.

"Ryuu," Ukyou whispered to him.  "It's like you said.  Some things
only you can answer."

"Genma Saotome killed my father," Ryuu said in a low voice.  "But he
didn't kill my mother.  I'm the only one to blame for that."

There was a long silence as the three sat there, digesting each
other's pasts.  Ryuu steeled himself, breathing softly.  'Damn,' he
cursed.  'Getting all worked up like this.  Feels better though,' he
admitted.  'That or I'm lightheaded from how screwed up my breathing
is.'

"Okay, Ryouga," Cas called over to the lost boy.  "It's your turn to
fess up something."

"Me?" Ryouga asked, blinking.

"Oh bother," Ryuu muttered, hiding his head in his hands.

"Weren't you paying attention?" Ukyou growled.

"I was wondering when we were going to eat something," Ryouga
declared.

"Did you hear anything we said?" Cas asked, sighing.

Ryouga grinned.  "I was also wondering if I had anything worthy to
share to your depressive talk," he added.  "I guess I'll stick to
what fuels most of my depression.  Akane loves Ranma."

"That's a lie!" Ukyou shouted, getting to her feet.

Ryouga stared her down.  "Every time I come to Nerima, Akane confides
in me all her feelings and dreams," Ryouga explained.  "That's what
tears me up inside.  How can he treat her so badly?  How can he not
know that she loves him?"

"She doesn't treat Ranma too kindly either," Ukyou declared.  "Those
two have the most abusive relationship I've ever seen."

"Oh, Ryouga," Cas gasped.  "I didn't know."

Ryouga nodded.  "Yes," he managed.  "I'm her friend.  And she will
never see me as anything more than that."

"I think that's reason enough to switch to the other girl," Cas
softly declared.

"It is a very good reason," Ryouga agreed.  "But she still shares her
dreams with me.  I have no idea what Akari's dreams are."

"Maybe you should ask," Cas suggested.

"Maybe I should," Ryouga said.  "I just can't let go of Akane yet.  I
can't let go, knowing her dreams won't come true.  I only wish for
her happiness."

Cas smiled, punching Ryuu in the arm.  "I think that concludes this
session," she remarked, the playfulness obviously forced.  "We're all
messed up.  This is perhaps the craziest thing I've done this entire
trip, washing towers and shark hunting including."

"Shark hunting?" Ryuu and Ukyou both asked.

"Tell you later," Cas said with a wink.

'Why am I not surprised?' Ryuu thought.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Stepping off the train, Cas felt relieved to know that her time of
traveling was finally near an end.  She walked away from the train,
arms outstretched, head back.  At least she was dry after the train
ride, even if she wasn't in her normal form presently.

"Um, Cas," Ukyou hissed from behind her.  "We're in a public place."

"Yea, but it's Tokyo," Cas said, lowering her arms down to her sides.
She let out a deep sigh and turned to her friends.  Ryuu stepped up
next to Ukyou, resting a hand on Ukyou's shoulder.  His other hand
held onto the backpack he had been carrying over his right shoulder.

Ryouga was last off the train, his eyes roaming the place curiously.
"We're in Tokyo?" he asked.

Ukyou hid her face in her hand but stopped, noting Ryuu's hand.
"Hands off, buddy," she said through clenched teeth.  Ryuu took his
hand off just as absently as he had put the hand there.

"We're here," Ryuu stated matter-of-factly.  "So what is the plan
this time?"

Cas shrugged.  She hadn't even used a quarter of her withdrawal last
night.  "Money isn't an issue this time so we will have to come up
with a new plan."

"We?" Ukyou repeated.  "I don't know about you guys but I'm planning
on checking up on my restaurant as soon as I get back in Nerima.  I'm
worried about Konatsu."

"Konatsu?" Cas asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He's a guy that lives with me in my restaurant and works as my
waitress," Ukyou explained.

Cas and Ryuu both blinked.  "Aren't guys waiters?" Ryuu asked.

Ukyou smiled.  "You'll understand if you meet him."

Ryuu nodded.  "What about you, Cas?" he asked.  "What are your
plans?"

"Well, Ryouga and I are going to eventually find out where he lives
so I can stay there," she started.  "As for the rest of the day, I
intend to see the sights of Tokyo and do a bit of shopping.  I really
want to expand my wardrobe."  She looked down at her d�cor.  "I've
been in these clothes for at least three weeks and need a change of
appearance.  I'll gladly buy you guys some stuff too.  I know you
have changes of clothes but I never can tell because you two seem to
only have the same kind of clothes."  She pointed at Ryuu and Ryouga
to indicate whom she was speaking about.

"I'll have to pass," Ryuu declined with a smile.  "I have an
appointment with a nice woman whom I owe an apology to.  I really
want to get this out of my list of things to do as soon as I can."

Cas stared at him, eyes pleading.  "You won't stay," she queried.  He
shook his head.  "But how will you find us?  Do you know where Ryouga
lives?"

Ryuu smirked.  "Actually I'm counting on Ukyou to give me the address
of her restaurant," he replied.  "I can find you through her."  Ukyou
rolled her eyes but pulled a pen and paper from somewhere in her
outfit.  She jotted something down and handed it over to Ryuu.
"Thanks."  He stuffed the note into his pants while Ukyou stuffed her
pen and paper back to wherever she had pulled them from.

"Well, Ryuu," Cas managed after a pause.  "I honestly didn't expect
we'd part so soon.  Are you going now?"

Ryuu nodded.  "Goodbye, Cas," he said with a bow.  "Goodbye, Ukyou,
Ryouga."  He bowed to each in turn.  "It has been... different.  I
hope to see you again soon."

"Bye, Ryuu," Cas said sweetly.  Ryuu nodded and walked out of the
station on his own.  Cas watched him disappear out of the station.
She suddenly felt very alone.

"So now what?" Ryouga asked.

"They have a tower here?" Cas asked, flashing a smile.

Ryouga and Ukyou face-faulted.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ukyou pulled the faded, green sundress over her head.  She staggered
a little due to the dressing room being so small.  She could hear Cas
giggling in the stall next to hers.  Ukyou smoothed out the material
and fixed her hair.  She pulled aside the curtain and stepped out
into the store.

Ryouga was there to greet her.  He blinked at her.  "Um... you look
nice," Ryouga managed.

Ukyou sighed.  'How did I let her talk me into this?' she asked.
They were somewhere in the heart of the Shibuyo district.  Ryouga was
already burdened with several packages of earlier purchases.  It was
as if Cas was on a mission to spend every yen she had.

Cas hopped out of her dressing room sporting a silk, hunter green
dress shirt.  It was long sleeved with small black buttons.  The
blond twirled about, arms out low to her side.  Only Cas's pinky and
ring fingers were tucked into her palm as the girl spun on her heel.
Little pig earrings swung about.

Ukyou frowned.  "Isn't that a guy's shirt?"

"Of course," Cas stated.  "Considering I'm a part-time guy now, I
figured I'd best start styling like one."  Cas moved fingers up and
down, presenting herself.  The shirt didn't quite fit right
considering Cas presently had bust, but the blond didn't seem to
mind.  "Besides, I've never worn a dress or a skirt and really don't
plan to any time soon."  Cas's blue eyes roamed up Ukyou.  "You look
really good."

Ukyou blushed.  "Thank you," she responded automatically.  "I thought
you dressed strangely, but I guess you like cross-dressing?"

"Oh no, dearie," Cas denied, with a smile.  Cas traced fingers up
around the swell of her breasts without actually touching.  "I'm not
trying to hide anything.  I just like the look this gives me.  So
what do you think, Ryouga?"

Ryouga arched an eyebrow.  "It's different."

"Really?" Cas stated.  Cas's fingers began unbuttoning the shirt.
"I'll have to take it off then if you don't like it."

"Um... n-n-no, what are you d-d-doing?" Ryouga stammered, his hands
out protesting what was going on before him.

Cas finished the task and parted the shirt.  Ryouga fainted in a gout
of blood.  Ukyou burst out laughing.  Underneath the dress shirt Cas
had a yellow t-shirt with black lettering.  It was one of the
purchases Cas had made at the import store.  The text was in English,
boldly proclaiming 'Slippery When Wet'.  The blond had said something
about it being a road sign.

"That was shameless," Ukyou reprimanded.

"Yea, I know," Cas giggled.  "You think he will wake up anytime
soon."

Ukyou looked at a clock on the wall and blinked.  "Oh," she stated.
"I really need to be getting to the restaurant if I want to get there
during business hours."

Cas looked crestfallen.  "Really?"

Ukyou nodded.  She looked down at the dress.  "But I need to get this
off and buy it first," Ukyou admitted.  "Sorry, if I have to run so
soon."

"Don't worry," Cas said sweetly.  "Are you sure Ryouga knows how to
get to your restaurant?"

Ukyou smiled.  "He'll find it eventually," Ukyou said dismissively.
"I'll see you guys soon."  Ukyou saluted Cas before stepping back
into the dressing room.

"Um... Ukyou?" Cas murmured on the other side of the curtain.  "I'm
paying for that so you don't have to say goodbye already."

"Oh... sorry."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ryouga stood on a bend in the road, overlooking Nerima.  His eyes
roamed the buildings, looking for anything familiar.  Sadly, he
didn't but still he knew this was Nerima, confirmed earlier by the
strangers that had passed by.  He leaned onto the guardrail.

'Finally,' he sighed.  'It's been so long.'

Cas leaned up on the metal beside him.  She was wearing the green
dress shirt from the store and a pair of baggy, black silk pants.
Her shirt was unbuttoned still, a yellow t-shirt visible underneath
that he had not known about earlier.  She even had a new pair of
black slip-ons instead of the worn out shoes.  Cas had been all too
happy to trash those weather beaten sneakers.

Ukyou had already been gone by the time he came to.  At least she had
taken her packages along.  He was burdened enough with the bags of
stuff for Cas and himself that Cas felt like purchasing.  'I suppose
she did need a new wardrobe,' he thought glumly.

"Now all we need is someone that knows how to get you home and we're
set," Cas declared.  "Or find a hotel or place to stay for awhile.  I
had forgotten about that detail."

"I guess it can't hurt to ask someone," Ryouga supposed.

Ryouga turned on his heel, looking about for someone to ask
directions from.  He approached a young man whom was heading towards
Nerima.  The young man had black hair, pulled back in a braid that
hung down to his shoulders.  Ryouga tapped the man on the shoulder.

"Excuse me," Ryouga began.  "I need directions.  Do you know the way
to the Hibiki residence?"

The man spun about, with a smile.  "Oh it's not the Tendou dojo this
time?" the man teased, stormy blue eyes flashing.

Ryouga scowled but paused his response when Cas leaned onto his
shoulder.  "Ranma," Ryouga started.  "I am in no mood."

Ranma was dressed in a chinese, short-sleeved, red shirt and a pair
of black pants that loosely hung on him.  Ranma cocked his head,
grinning.  "Long time no see, P-Chan," Ranma continued, grating on
Ryouga's thin nerves.  "You missed graduation."

"I know that!" Ryouga fumed.  "And stop calling me that!"

"Okay, Porky," Ranma said, sticking out his tongue.  Ranma's eyes
glanced over to Cas.  "So, you ham, who's the new girlfriend?"

Ryouga gritted his teeth.  "Cas, this is Ranma Saotome," Ryouga
managed after a long pause.

Cas stepped past him and bowed to his rival.  "Cas Keating," she
politely introduced.  "I've heard many things about you."

"Well, coming from Ryouga you best not believe the half of it," Ranma
stated.  "So what's your relationship with Ryouga?"

"Oh just friends," Cas remarked offhandedly.  "Plus I do have a
little business with you."

"B-b-business," Ranma stuttered.  Ranma held up his hands
defensively.  "Hey, I am not interested in any more fianc�es, you
understand?"

'Insulting me and now her,' Ryouga thought darkly.  "That's it,
Ranma!" Ryouga growled.  "After you take me home we are going to
fight!"

"What!?" both Ranma and Cas spoke in unison.

"You heard me!" Ryouga shouted.  "Now take me home!"

Ranma glanced over to Cas.  "Are you staying with him?"

"Now!" Ryouga reiterated.

"Um... yeah," Cas said, flushed.

"Are you sure there's nothing going on between the two of you?" Ranma
asked.

Cas rolled her eyes.  "Keep talking like that and I'll let Ryouga
thrash you here," she said with a smirk.  "Take us home.  We can
discuss the terms of the fight when we get there."

"Terms?" Ranma echoed inquisitively.

"I did say I was here on business," Cas answered vaguely.

Ranma's eyes glazed over with something Ryouga was well acquainted
with: smug confidence.  "Sure I'll take you two home, but if you're
expecting me to lose, you got another thing coming," Ranma bragged.
"Why I've been beating Ryouga since day one!"

"So you say," Cas remarked coolly.  "I will see for myself."

"Ranma, you can't beat me this time!" Ryouga declared.

"Ha, Ryouga," Ranma laughed.  "That's what you always say.  Guess
I'll have to remind you who's the top martial artist here in front of
your friend."

Ryouga fumed, squeezing his fists even tighter.  Cas tapped her foot
impatiently.  "I'm not getting any younger you know," she complained.
"Hurry up with the showing the way so I can see who's the top martial
artist here."

"It would be my pleasure," Ranma said spinning about to guide them.
He began walking down the grade.  Cas took Ryouga's arm and tugged
him to follow Ranma.

Ryouga stared menacingly at the back of his rival.  Ryouga obediently
began to move his feet, not wanting to admit that Ranma was helping
him because Ranma was being such a jerk about it.  'Ranma,' he
thought.  'Today you will know the humility of defeat.'

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ranma and Ryouga stood facing each other in the backyard of the
Hibiki residence.  Cas sat on the ground off to the side, between the
two opponents.  Ryouga fell into a fighting stance.  Ranma figured it
was time to do the same.

"Hold on you two," Cas called out.  "First let's go over the
conditions to this duel."

Ryouga's eyes flickered over to the girl.  The lost boy visibly
relaxed, causing Ranma to once again contemplate what the
relationship was between these two.  'There is definitely something
going on between these two,' Ranma noted.  'This is almost like
fighting Ryouga with Cologne.'

"Make it quick, Cas," Ryouga declared.  "I'm sure Ranma doesn't want
to be late for his funeral."

Cas laughed.  "Okay," she said.  "First off, this is NOT a battle to
the death, Ryouga.  Second, I want Ranma to agree to relinquishing a
promise he required of someone."

Ranma's ears perked up.  'What did I make Ryouga promise?' he
wondered.  "What do I get when I win?" Ranma demanded.  "I don't know
how many fights I've had where it seems I have everything to lose and
nothing to gain."

Cas frowned in thought.  "You can name your own terms and Ryouga and
I will decide whether or not we agree to them," she answered.  "I
don't know you well enough to give you terms you'd want."

Ranma had to think for only a moment.  'Akane.'  "I want Ryouga to
stop this nonsense with Akane," Ranma declared.  "No more fights over
her and no more sleeping in her bed at night."

Cas arched an eyebrow as Ryouga blushed.  The blush did not last as
Ryouga quickly gnashed his teeth, glaring at Ranma.  "Ranma!" Ryouga
seethed in anger.

"We agree," Cas spoke up.  Ryouga stared over at Cas, incredulous.
Cas shrugged.  "It's not like you are going to lose so who cares."

"Ha, I wouldn't be so confident," Ranma declared, resuming his
fighting stance.  "Come on, Ryouga.  Let's get this over with.  I
have dinner to attend to and I don't want to miss Kasumi's cooking."

Ryouga charged, shouting, "You'll be needing a straw to eat your
dinner through when I'm done with you!"  Ryouga swung a fist in a
lunging arc.  Ranma hopped back easily avoiding the blow.  Ryouga
pressed the assault, delivering a series of crushing swings that
drove Ranma back on his heels.

Ranma pushed aside a kick meant for his head.  'This is nothing new,'
Ranma noted.  Ryouga dove in right fist leading.  Ranma easily
sidestepped, grabbing onto Ryouga's forearm.  He pulled his rival
forward and threw everything into an uppercut with his free hand.

Ryouga evaded the move by twisting back and shooting a foot straight
up.  Ranma had to let go of Ryouga's arm to get out of the path.
Ranma snatched Ryouga by the ankle.  He pushed, sending Ryouga to the
ground.

Ryouga caught himself on hands and pushed with the motion, springing
the lost boy back on his feet.  Ranma charged forward to press his
advantage.  Ryouga swung at him.  Ranma met his punch slightly higher
to hook at the elbow.  His hand pressed onto Ryouga's back and Ranma
leaned back, sending a straight kick out to Ryouga's temple.  It
connected, sending Ryouga staggering back.

Ranma stepped back, measuring up the situation.  Ryouga was already
recovered.  Ranma grimaced.  'Why does he have to have such a hard
head?' Ranma complained.  'He's the only one I know of that can have
a defense that opens as much as a rusty door.'

"This isn't over yet, Ranma!" Ryouga yelled charging in.  Ryouga shot
his fists out several times.  Ranma blocked each attack waiting for
the next opening.  He shot his fist forward, catching Ryouga in the
chin.  Ryouga didn't even flinch.

'Time to pick up the pace,' Ranma decided.  Ranma turned his blocks
into counters.  Within moments, Ryouga was backing up, frantically
trying to block each of his strikes.  Ryouga was beginning to sweat
from the effort.  Ranma grinned.

On his next strike, Ranma rolled his punch over Ryouga's blocking
arm.  He pivoted into Ryouga, shoving his elbow up.  He caught Ryouga
in the throat, only to feel a hammer's blow into his side right below
the ribs.  Ryouga backed off gasping while Ranma winced, resisting
the urge to hold his aching side.

Ranma jumped towards Ryouga.  Ryouga rolled aside throwing a finger
down to the ground.  Ranma's eyes widened.  "Bakusai-ten-ketsu!"
Ryouga shouted.

A cloud of dust and debris welcomed Ranma's advancing body.  Ranma
tried to catch some of the debris with his hands, but was hindered by
the pain in his side.  Cuts and scratches opened up in every spot of
exposed flesh upon his body.

Ryouga lunged at him through the haze.  Ranma swept Ryouga's arm
aside and he punched out with his other.  "Tenshin amaguri-ken!"
Ranma shouted, striking Ryouga just below the ribs more times than he
cared to count.  Ryouga fell backwards and began rolling away.  Ranma
chased after him.

Ryouga got up only to be knocked down with another series of punches.
Ranma was tiring and his side still ached, but he knew Ryouga
couldn't take much more of this.  "We end this now, Ryouga!" Ranma
declared, closing in.

"This isn't even near the end," Cas stated calmly from the sidelines.
"Ryouga."  The lost boy looked up, eyes pained but burning with rage.
"Turn it up a notch.  Haisupo-do."

Ranma couldn't even follow Ryouga's movements as the lost boy pounced
upon him.  Ranma tried desperately to mount a defense as the blows
fell mercilessly, striking as hard as anvils.  He blocked an attack,
only to regret the jarring pain this caused to his forearm.

Ranma tried to speed up his defenses, but he was too tired and hurt.
He tried gathering his ki for a Mouko Takabishi.  'There is no way I
can lose to Ryouga,' he assured.  A solid crack to his head prevented
him from thinking straight.

The last thing he remembered was a voice speaking out, "Ryouga, don't
kill him!"  Then another fist to his temple sent him into darkness.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Something wasn't right.  A figure moved through the darkness towards
the disruption.  The figure crossed the street, illuminated by the
light only long enough to reveal the form as slight and skinny.  It
slithered up the wooden fence, peering over into the backyard of the
residence.

The figure gasped, recognizing two of the people.  Ryouga stood
triumphantly over an unconscious Ranma.  It studied the scene,
carefully absorbing every detail of the moment.  'Is he dead?' the
shadow asked.  'Is Akane finally free of that jerk?'

Hope died as the shadow realized Ranma was still breathing.  Ryouga
was breathing fast, far faster than what was possible even for a
person after an extreme battle as this must have been.  'It had to
have been extreme,' it supposed.  'Why else would I have sensed
something awry?'

Then the low buzz that he had sensed dissipated.  Ryouga's breathing
slowed to a more believable pace.  The shadow watched, intrigued as
the third figure, a blond haired woman dressed in men's clothing,
approached the victor of the battle.  The shadow slipped a hand into
its jacket, pulling out a small camera.

"A victory for our side," the girl stated calmly.  "It's a good thing
you clocked him when you did.  I was suspecting him to counterattack
any moment with a power of his own.  I could feel him gathering it
near the end."

Ryouga nodded, lowering his head.  "I could not have won without
you," he admitted.

"What about your..." she paused, "magic?"

"It's not magic, Cas," Ryouga said.  "It's a power that I can
channel, feeding off of my emotions.  I was too confident I was going
to win to use it at the time."

The shadow took a picture.  The girl froze, glancing sideways, an
action not lost on Ryouga.  "What is it?"

The blond smiled.  "Nothing," she said dismissively.  "We won so
that's all that matters.  I got what I wanted out of him.  You can
rematch him anytime you like but I won't assist you again, Ryouga.
I'll try teaching you what I do, but I don't want to taint the
victory you deserve by interfering again."

"I understand," Ryouga stated.  "Maybe I won't have to beat him again
if he starts acting more like the man Akane deserves."

The girl named Cas shrugged indifferently.  "Now what are we to do
with this guy?" she asked.

"We can take him to the Tendou dojo and leave him there," Ryouga
suggested.  "They'll take care of him and ask few questions."

"Really?"

"This type of thing happens to Ranma all the time," Ryouga explained.
"Not that he doesn't deserve it.  You saw how much of a jerk he can
be."

Cas shrugged.  The shadow noted the girl was sporting a pair of black
pig earrings, causing it to wonder about the relationship between
these two.  "I don't really know from one meeting," Cas answered
honestly.  "I certainly don't see how so many girls can want him.
Sure he's good to look at, but looks fade.  Last thing I'd want to
end up with is a withered old man who thinks he's better than me."

Ryouga hefted Ranma up onto his shoulder.  The shadow took another
picture.  The figure felt a stab of fear when the blond turned to
look directly at it.  'That's impossible,' it thought.  'The shutter
is silenced and I'm not even using a flash.'

The girl frowned, but turned her attention back to Ryouga.  "Do you
know the way to the dojo from your house?"

Ryouga glanced up in thought.  "Not particularly, but I can try
following one of the maps I have here at home that gets me to the
dojo eventually," he answered.

"Do you have an address and a real map?" Cas asked.  "If you do I can
probably find the place without too much trouble.  You can just
follow me and carry the baggage."  The blond flashed a smile that was
contagious.  Both Ryouga and the shadow smiled.

"Sorry, I don't have either of those things," Ryouga admitted.

"Well, how about we go next door and see if they have a phone book
and a map," Cas suggested.  "I'm sure there can't be too many Tendous
running around in the Nerima district."

"Sounds good to me," Ryouga admitted.

The girl turned, giving the shadow the perfect angle.  It took
another picture.  The girl waved to the shadow, grinning.  That was
all it could take.  The shadow dropped from the fence and ran from
the place as fast as it could.

"What are you waving at?" Ryouga's voice asked, carrying over the
fence.

"Some guy taking pictures," the girl replied, her voice fading as the
shadow ran further from the Hibiki residence.  "Do you know anybody
like that?"

The shadow kept on running.  'Nobody sees me,' it thought, thoroughly
shaken.  'Nobody notices me.  How does she?'  After a long run that
burned his lungs and made both his sides hurt, the shadow was home.
He slipped through the open window of his bedroom.  He slammed the
window shut and huddled back into a corner, clutching onto his
camera.  One thought kept repeating over and over in his mind.  'How
can she notice me, Hikaru Gosunkugi.'

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Well that's my latest revision.  Please email any comments to
zinyadel@hotmail.com
I don't mind flames.  Sometimes good ideas come from them.  I'll be sure
to torment all once again with the next addition.

(Opening and Ending themes are removed simply because I think everyone
has tired of them by now.)

Ciaow


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