The Dying of the Light A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic by Alan Harnum All Ranma characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published by Shogakukan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz Communications. This copy of the story is from my centralized fanfiction archive at http://www.thekeep.org/~harnums/fanfic. I can be reached by e-mail at harnums@thekeep.org Part 1 : Stone Brings Forth Winter's chill had come to Tokyo, and those who walked the streets at this late hour were bundled tightly within coats. One figure among all of them wore the coat needlessly, for he did not feel the wind's bite, or if he felt it he cared not. His strides were purposeful and steady, as if he knew where he was going now and forever. The heavy overcoat concealed most of his other clothing, but the leg of finely tailored pants could occasionally be seen, flashing for a moment from behind the folds of the coat as he walked. The collar was flipped up, concealing all of his face but his eyes. Some who met his eyes turned away immediately, feeling cold fear for no reason they could find. Others were drawn into them, fascinated for a moment, until they too shuddered and looked away. No one could meet those eyes with steady gaze. His walk stopped with sharp abruptness outside an office building, one that did not stand out in any way from the dozens of others around it. He looked at it for a moment, then gave a small nod of his head, and smiled. If anyone had noticed, they would have perhaps wondered why a man was able to walk in through the front door, a front door that should have been locked. Strangely enough, no one did notice. The man strode through the dimly lit atrium, past the empty receptionist's desk, and as the doors swung closed behind him, there came barely audible clicks as they relocked themselves. He made no sound as he walked, although his footsteps should have echoed in the dark emptiness. Finally, he paused and knelt down, touching slim, sensitive fingers to the ground. "Ah," he said softly in the darkness. "Here you are." Deep down below, down below the basement, below the foundations, something stirred. "Time to wake up," he said, reaching into one pocket of the overcoat and pulling out a small effigy of black stone, black stone shaped into an inhuman figure. "It is time that you walked this earth again, child." The effigy pulsed warmly in his hand, and he cocked his head as if listening. "Patience," he said chidingly to no one. "It's not quite time yet." Another pulse, hotter this time. It would have burned through the hand of another man, left only the blackened stump of a wrist, but to this man it did nothing. "If you must," he said resignedly. "But do not interfere with my part in this." The black stone was cold again. He placed it on the floor, put a hand over it, palm down, not quite touching the top. Slowly, the effigy began to sink into the foundations as if into soft snow. "Do not fail me," he said. The final tip of the effigy disappeared from view, and the man smiled, and it was not a smile of humour or amusement, but the smile a cat gives to a cornered mouse before it begins to play, a feral grin like a predator on the hunt. Behind the smile, behind those dark eyes, there was something terrible for a moment, and then it vanished. He rose, and then he was gone. Below where he had stood, below the foundation of the building, deep down into the earth, the first few cracks began to appear. And off in the night, in four different places, four people awoke in fear from a dream they could not recall. ********** The kettle whistled softly on the stove, and Kasumi Tendo hurried up from her chair in the kitchen and shut it off, anxious not to disturb any other members of the household this early in the morning. The time was even earlier than she normally rose on weekends; breakfast wouldn't need to be made for another two or three hours, and she had all that time to herself. She sat down with her tea at the kitchen table, sipping it delicately and letting it take off some of the chill of the morning. It had been an unusually cold winter so far; they might see snow within the next few days. She liked when it snowed; there was something about those crystal flakes tumbling down, one by one, drifting up in piles, that she found lovely. The crispness of the air, the icicles dangling from the trees, it was all nice. There was no season that was her particular favourite, because in all of them she found something pleasurable. She tried to find the best in everything. She gazed out the window at the approach of dawn with something almost like a sigh. She didn't understand why she'd been feeling this way lately; the pleasant monotony of running the household had always been something she'd enjoyed before, but now it seemed more and more futile each day. "You're a bit young to be going through a midlife crisis, aren't you?" she said quietly to herself. She laughed, but not because she found it funny. She could try to deny it or laugh at it as much as she liked, but in the last few months she'd begun thinking more and more about her future, and finding it lacking. There was the sound of someone coming downstairs, causing all of her thoughts to hide themselves away in an instant. Whoever it was, it wouldn't do for them to see her this way. "Good morning, Ranma," she said as he ambled his way into the kitchen, as if seeing him up at six on a weekend was a commonplace event. "Mornin', Kasumi," he said dully with a yawn. "Would you like a cup of tea?" she asked. Ranma nodded and made his way over to the cupboard, taking out a teacup and holding it in his hand as if it were some kind of new and strange thing. His eyes were half-closed, and he yawned again. "Teapot's on the stove," Kasumi said helpfully. Ranma mumbled his thanks and walked over. Kasumi waited for a moment. Then she said, "You need to pour the tea, Ranma." Ranma appeared to find his motor functions, and poured himself a cup. Kasumi waited again. "Come and sit down at the table, Ranma," she said finally. Ranma sat down. "Drink your tea." He did, draining the entire cup in one gulp. His eyes blinked open, with a little more alertness in them. "That's good tea." "Special blend," Kasumi said. Ranma nodded and his head gradually sank forward until it was touching the kitchen table. "I'll pour you another cup." Soon, fortified with a second cup, Ranma sat more or less awake at the table with Kasumi. "Why are you up so early, Ranma?" Kasumi asked. He sighed. "Couldn't sleep." "Is everything alright?" "Yeah, yeah, great," Ranma said, sipping his tea. "I'm just trying to figure out how to..." "How to what?" Kasumi asked. "Nothin'," Ranma said. "Nothin' important." "Are you sure?" Kasumi said, looking at him questioningly. He looked uncomfortable for a moment, then sighed again. "It's just not the kinda thing I should be asking you about," he said finally. "I should ask pop, or mom, but..." "What is it, Ranma?" Kasumi said. "I'll give you advice, but only if you can tell me what's going on." "Okay," Ranma said. "First, tell me what you think of this." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black case, setting it down upon the table and glancing around the entire kitchen, as if looking for spies hiding in the cupboards or the fridge. As he hunched over it and opened it up, Kasumi began to realize what it was and her eyes widened. The ring inside looked as if it were gold, and was plain but tasteful. "Do you think she'll like it?" Ranma said, like a child asking approval. "It was the best I could afford, and I know it may not look like much, but..." "Ranma," Kasumi said, smiling at him. "Is that for Akane?" "Ummm... uhh..." Ranma said. "Yeah. Who else would it be for?" "It's beautiful," she said. "I... I..." For the first time in a while, Kasumi had no idea of what to say. "What's wrong with it?" Ranma said frantically. "I knew I was gonna screw this up..." "It's fine," Kasumi said. "She'll love it." Relief passed over Ranma's face. "Are you sure?" "Believe me," Kasumi said. "I think she's been waiting a long time for this." Ranma's face broke into a tentative smile. "I sure hope so." He closed the box and quickly put it away. "I'm sorry I asked you, Kasumi, but mom or pop might have..." "I understand, Ranma," Kasumi said. "I'm flattered you thought to ask me." "You're the best, Kasumi," Ranma said, hopping out of his chair. He walked over and, to her suprise, gave her a quick, one armed hug. "Thanks." Kasumi smiled faintly and patted him on the shoulder. "You're welcome, Ranma." "Okay then, I'm off," Ranma said, darting for the kitchen door. "Ranma?" Kasumi said. "Yes?" "It's only six," she said slowly. "And it's a weekend. Where exactly are you going?" He paused for a moment, looking perplexed. "I dunno. I'm too worked up to stay around the house, and if I wake up pop to practice, we'll wake everybody else up. I think I'll go for a walk." "Alright then," Kasumi said. "It's cold out this morning. Be sure to take your jacket." "Right," Ranma said. She heard his footsteps retreating up the hallway, and smiled slightly to herself. Nabiki was off at college; if things went well, Ranma and Akane might be married soon. At least her sisters were going somewhere, even if she wasn't. It was small compensation, but it was some. Sipping the last of her tea, Kasumi gazed out the window at the winter morning, wishing that she had someone to turn to right now. ********** Ranma walked quickly through the early morning streets, the crispness of the air driving off the last of his sleepiness. He felt great; Kasumi had got rid of the last of his doubts about his decision. He'd had some money saved two months ago, when Ukyou had pointed out to him that he had to tell Akane himself that he wanted to marry her, not rely on the engagement that their parents had put them in. He'd already told her he loved her, but neither of them had taken the step of acknowledging the marriage was something they wanted. The ring, for which he'd saved all the money he could for the past two months, would serve as the true symbol of their engagement. It was certainly something he wanted; he couldn't think of anyone he would rather spend his life with than Akane. Even if he could have admitted it to himself a while ago, he could never have admitted it to her, but recent events had finally forced him to face things. He'd finally realized how close he'd come so many times to losing her, or her to losing him, and that had galvanized something in him. He owed a lot to Ukyou; it was her who'd stopped him upon the Spire on that island in the Pacific, her who'd finally made him admit he loved Akane. He'd been worried about Ukyou for a while, but recently she'd changed, or more so she had changed back to the way he was used to seeing her. He'd shown up the morning after he finally talked to her about their relationship to see if she was okay, and had found her in the vacant lot behind her restaurant, breaking full sake bottles with her spatula. His father would have wept to see so much good liquor being wasted, but it seemed to have been having a good effect on her. He'd wondered why exactly she'd had all the sake in the first place, but he didn't really want to pry. He was still trying to think of the best way to approach Akane. He'd have to do it at some time and place where they would be unlikely to be interrupted by anything. Given the way things usually were, that would most likely be the moon, but he'd have to do his best under the current situation. Lost in his thoughts, he realized he'd been walking for the last little while without any clear idea of where he was going. Looking around, he saw that he was near the Nekohanten, of all places. He hadn't been there in a long time. Sure, he still dropped in occasionally, but he never felt completely welcome anymore ever since he'd finally tied up the matter of his marriage to Shampoo all those months ago. Still, Mousse and Shampoo had been among those searching for him and Akane after they'd abruptly left with Shigeki Kiyokuro, unable to contact their families for fear that Richard Stalford would somehow find them. Given what they'd told him about the creature they'd fought in Stalford's house, it was probably best they hadn't. The snake-woman had been lying in ambush in Fuko Importers, waiting for anyone who might come in search of them. He didn't want to think about what might have happened if Stalford had found the Tendo house; while the sorcerer had not been the most powerful opponent he had ever faced, he had certainly been the most ruthless. Stalford was gone now, though. Ranma had thrown him from the top of the Spire himself. He'd never been forced to kill a human opponent before that night, but now that he'd done it, he didn't really feel any different. If he hadn't killed Stalford, Stalford would have killed them. He'd been about to kill Akane, thinking her and Ranma helpless and paralyzed. Ranma clenched his fist at the memory, and quickened his pace as he walked by the Nekohanten. He didn't feel really good about killing Richard Stalford, but he sure as hell didn't feel bad either. "Good morning, Ranma," a voice said behind him. He whirled, and faced Cologne. "Hey, old ghoul," he said flatly. If there was anything that could put a damper on his day, it was Shampoo's great-grandmother. Although, of course, with him no longer being engaged to Shampoo, he hadn't had to see or deal with Cologne in a long time. "Show some respect, boy," Cologne said, eyeing him from atop her perch on her staff. "I respect you just fine, old ghoul," Ranma said. There was a flicker of movement from Cologne, and then the ground rushed up to meet Ranma, and Cologne was perched on his head, the tip of her staff digging painfully into his neck. "Then stop calling me old ghoul," Cologne said. "Shouldn't you be bathing in the blood of virgins to keep your youth or something," Ranma muttered. "What are you bugging me for?" "Doesn't work," Cologne said, hopping off his head. "The only blood-bathing ceremony for eternal youth that actually works is..." "I don't care," Ranma said, standing up and brushing himself off. "What do you want, old-" He amended quickly, "Cologne." Cologne nodded and smiled toothlessly at him. "Better." Cologne hopped up to him and gazed into his eyes. "And what are you doing up so early, boy?" "I could ask you the same thing," Ranma said. Cologne chuckled. "I'm always up this early, boy. I don't sleep as much as most people." "How useful," Ranma said. "Now what do you want?" "No need to be rude," Cologne chided. "I was just saying hello before I headed off for my morning constitutional." "Of course," Ranma said, wondering if Cologne would be attempting to sell him the Tokyo Tower next. "Well, I'll be going then." He dashed off quickly, anxious to spend as little time in Cologne's presence as possible. Cologne watched him go, her eyes boring holes into his back until he turned the corner. "You should have told him, you old fool," she muttered to herself as she headed off in the opposite direction. "Even if it would have spoiled his day. He needs to be ready for what's coming; we all do." She gazed up at the morning sky warily. "I just wish I knew exactly what it is that's coming." ********** Ryoga Hibiki was, therefore he was lost. It was such a fundamental part of his personality that it should have been simply enough to say that Ryoga was. In a rare instance, it might be said that Ryoga Hibiki was not lost. However, today that was not the case. It seldom was. He could often portray a vague simulacrum of not being lost, usually by staying in one place and only moving if he had someone to follow who wasn't likely to suddenly duck around a corner and leave him behind, but being lost was usually an unavoidable part of his existence. Although recently, he'd really felt as if he'd been found. For the past six months, he'd been living on the Unryuu farm out in the countryside, happier than he'd ever been. His love for Akari grew daily, and it brought none of the heartbreak or pain that his love for Akane did. Had. Not did. He'd given up on Akane. He'd found something better than his infatuation with her, something deeper. Akari returned his love; he was never happier than when he was with her. Which was why now he was so profoundly depressed at being separated from her. Every moment apart from here was in which he remembered the happy times they'd had over the past half of the year, and that made his own loneliness cut even deeper. "All because I don't have the sense to stay in one place," Ryoga said mournfully as he walked through the streets of whatever city he'd ended up in. They all began to look the same after a while. "Dammit, why can't I ever not get lost?" he said, lashing out with a fist and absentmindedly breaking a streetlamp in two. He walked on, unaware of his casual property destruction. "Maybe it's a sign," he said softly to himself. "Perhaps I am not meant to be happy. Maybe the gods themselves have decreed that I must wander alone through this world." He sighed deeply. "Oh, Akari, I hope that you find someone who won't get lost like this all the time. I'm sorry, Akari. I don't deserve you, or anyone else." He felt a lump in his throat; he'd even begun to like taking care of the pigs. That was how he'd got lost in the first place; he'd been feeding them with Akari when one of the newborns had struggled out from under one of the pens and ran off into the woods. He'd chased after it, and by the time he realized how far he'd gone, he was here. Wherever here was. Maybe if he kept on walking, he'd find something. Although right now, he just felt like sitting down somewhere for a while, and maybe getting up later when he didn't feel so depressed. So he did, settling himself down in the middle of the sidewalk with a thump and laying his umbrella across his knees. It was early, and there wasn't anybody out on the streets, and if there was they could bloody well step around him. "Mornin', Ryoga," Ranma said as he walked past. It took a few seconds for each of them to put two and two together, by which time Ranma was halfway up the street. "Hey, what are you doing here?" they both said, Ranma reversing his direction as Ryoga headed up the street after him. "Hey, Ryoga, long time no see," Ranma said cheerfully, clapping Ryoga on the shoulder. "How ya doin'?" "Ranma..." Ryoga said. He hadn't seen his old rival in half a year, ever since the last time he'd been in Nerima, and had hunted down with Ranma and the others the monstrous killer that had been stalking the area. That was the time when he'd finally given up on Akane, finally accepted that she and Ranma had feelings for each other that he shouldn't come between. "You lost or somethin', Ryoga?" Ranma said. "I thought you were at Akari's." "I was," Ryoga said miserably. "But I wandered off." "Ahh, man," Ranma said. "Too bad." There was a pause. Then another pause. Somewhere off in the distance, a dog howled. It dawned upon Ranma that perhaps he could do something more than offer sympathy. "Hey, but don't worry," he said. "I'll get you back there in no time." "You... you would do this for me..." Ryoga said, something akin to wonder in his eyes. "Sure. No skin off my back, is it?" Ranma said, shrugging. "Oh, Ranma," Ryoga said, gulping. "You are a true friend... How... how can I ever repay you..." "Hey! Hey! Don't go all weird on me, Ryoga," Ranma said, putting up his hands in front of him. "Come on. You must be hungry; let's go see if Kasumi's made breakfast yet." "Thank you, Ranma," Ryoga said as they walked. "It's nothing much," Ranma said, glancing away from him. "It's good to see you again. How're things going with you and Akari?" "Wonderful," Ryoga said, looking far away for a moment. "Just wonderful." "Hey, hey, Ryoga," Ranma said. "Earth to Ryoga." "Mmm... hello Ranma," Ryoga said, smiling happily and glancing around. "When did you show up?" Ranma would have slapped him, but it probably wouldn't have brought him back to reality. Besides, it was better than the state he'd been in when Ranma found him. "I'm surprised you didn't show up earlier," Ranma said. "I mean, what, it's been six months or so since I saw you." "Akari and I have a system," Ryoga said. "I know my way around the house, and around the yard too, usually. But if it ever really looks like I'm getting lost, I sit down and wait until she finds me." "And that works?" Ranma said. "Most of the time," Ryoga said. "I just got stupid and ran off after one of the pigs. It's kind of embarassing to have to live like that, but I guess it's better better than being constantly lost." "So... have you asked her yet?" Ranma said. Ryoga blinked. "Asked her what?" "To marry you?" Ryoga looked thoughtful for a moment. "It's always just been kind of an implied thing, I think. I beat her pig, so we're going to get married. We've talked about it a bit, but we haven't really made any plans." "You should," Ranma said. "Even if you love somebody, they love you, you need some kinda symbol, I think." "What are you talking about?" Ryoga said, looking at him a bit suspiciously. "Do you mean..." Ranma pulled out the ring box from his pocket. "Just bought it yesterday. I'm trying to think of the best time to give it to her." Ryoga laughed. "I never thought you'd work up the courage to do it." "Shut up, Ryoga. At least I don't pass out at the sight of a female body," Ranma muttered. "Because you have one half the time, Ranma." "Better than being a pig, P-CHAN!" "Who're you calling P-chan?" "Who do you think, P-CHAN!" "Hey, shut up!" "No, you shut up!" "No, YOU shut up, or I'll shut you up!" "Is that a challenge, Ryoga?" "YEAH!" "Alright. Been a long time since I kicked you around." Ranma slipped the ring box back into his pocket, as Ryoga unslung his umbrella. Suddenly, the two of them were wet, and changed. "Oh, I'm sorry," the old woman said, squinting at them, her dipper still extended. "My eyesight's none too good, and I didn't see you or your little pig, miss." "It's okay," Ranma said with a sigh, as P-chan sneezed wetly on the ground beside her. "I think we both needed to cool down anyway." ********** "Kasumi, where's Ranma?" Akane asked her older sister as she sat down at the breakfast table. "I think he went out for a walk," Kasumi said. "He was up very early this morning." "I wonder why?" Akane said. "He usually likes to sleep in late." "Oh, I'm sure he had a good reason," Kasumi said with the trace of a smile. Akane blinked; if it had been anyone else but Kasumi, she would almost think they were hiding something from her. "That's my boy," Genma said. "Up early in the day to get a good start on things." "Just like you and I, Saotome," Soun said from behind his paper. "Remember how when we were in training, and..." Across the table from Akane, Nodoka had a small smile on her face as Soun and Genma bantered back and forth about the good old days. "...rising up with the sun, running a mile or five," Genma said. Nodoka rolled her eyes at Akane. Akane giggled slightly. "And all before breakfast as well," Soun said, sipping his tea. "It was after breakfast that we really trained hard." "Feh. What a load of old tripe," Happosai said as he found a seat at the table and snatched one of Genma's pickles. "You two were the laziest students I ever had. I had to throw the two of you out of bed each morning. Literally." "Yes," Genma said, a frown crossing his face. "It was particularly unpleasant when we'd been forced to spend the night in a tree." "We slept in a lot of trees in those days, didn't we," Soun said. "Why exactly was that again, master?" "Angry villagers can't find you too easily in the top of a tree," Happosai said matter-of-factly, stealing some of Soun's rice. "Ahh, thinking about it all makes me feel so young again, half my age even." "Which means you should have died about fifty years ago," Genma muttered under his breath. Happosai glared at him and stole his other pickle. "Hey everyone," Ranma said, stepping into the dining room, red hair still slightly damp. Akane's eyes widened when she saw the small pig trying to hide behind the girl's legs. "P-chan!" she said happily, standing up from the table. "I thought I'd lost you forever!" "Umm.... Akane," Ranma said. "Maybe it's not a..." "Ranma! Such a delight to see your better half!" Happosai said, leaping across the room. Ranma intercepted him with a fist in the head, then shook him off back towards the front door, just as Akane reached down and tried to pick up the transformed Ryoga. P-chan darted away from her hands, running quickly around the corner. "P-chan! Come back," Akane said, hurrying after him. The door to the bathroom was slightly ajar; pushing it open, she immediately shrieked and covered her eyes. "Oh, Ryoga," she said. "I'm so sorry." In the bathtub, Ryoga laughed nervously. "Oh, it's alright Akane, don't worry, uhh..." "What are you doing in our bathroom?" Akane said, still covering her eyes. "He was wandering around the neighbourhood," Ranma said as she came to stand behind Akane. "I thought he could use a meal and a bath." "Oh, that's so thoughtful of you, Ranma," Akane said. "I guess you want to get changed back, don't you?" "Yeah," Ranma nodded. "We'll be down in a minute." Akane turned and headed up the hallway. "I'll look for P-chan." "That was close," Ranma said as she slipped into the bathroom and closed the door. Ryoga nodded. "Thanks for not taking advantage of that, pal," Ranma said as she slipped her shirt off. "No problem," Ryoga said. "I have no need to be her pet anymore... I have Akari." "Hey Ryoga," Ranma said. "How come you never get all embarassed seeing me naked like this? If it was anyone else, you'd be dead from blood loss by now." "Because you're a guy, you idiot," Ryoga said, rolling his eyes and snorting. "Ahh, what's wrong, aren't I cute enough for you," Ranma said, batting her eyelashes at Ryoga. The bucket clunked her in the head and overturned, dumping hot water over her and changing her back to her normal gender. "Stop flaunting yourself to me and get in the bath," Ryoga said wearily. "If you want someone to drool all over you, go find Kuno or something." "Can't," Ranma said as he settled into the large tub opposite Ryoga. "He's off at college." "You must be so upset," Ryoga said. "Yeah, I really miss him grabbing me all the time," Ranma said sarcastically. "You and me both know you do," Ryoga said, grinning slightly. "Shut up," Ranma said. The two of them soaked in silence for a few minutes, then got out and got dressed. "I hope pop didn't eat everything," Ranma said. "I'm starved." "Me too," Ryoga said. "I don't know how long it's been since I had something to eat. Time seems to flow together when I'm lost." The Tendos, the Saotomes and Happosai were still seated at the table when Ranma and Ryoga arrived in the dining room. The two boys took seats at the table and began to eat the food laid before them. "So, Ryoga, how are you?" Akane asked. "I'm alright, Akane," Ryoga said between mouthfuls. "It's been a long time since we've seen you, Ryoga," Kasumi said. "Yeah, I really should have come to visit," Ryoga said. "It's just the farm's a lot work, and Akari needs me around." "Well, you're always welcome in my home," Soun said from behind the paper. "Thank you, Mr. Tendo," Ryoga said, looking embarassed as he ate. Breakfast finished, Kasumi began to clear the dishes from the table, as Soun and Genma headed to the shogi board, and Happosai headed off, presumably for his normal day of lechery. Ranma glanced over at Ryoga. "Wanna spar?" he said. "I gotta keep you from getting soft, Ryoga." "Right," Ryoga said, rising up from the table. "Let's do it." The two headed off for the dojo. Nodoka glanced over at Akane and smiled. "What a nice boy. It's good to see that Ranma has a friend who shares his interests," she said. Akane nodded. "You could say that." The sound of a crash echoed throughout the house, and was quickly drowned out by two battle cries. After a long absence, Ryoga had returned to Nerima. ********** All about was darkness, but for her. She stood in the centre, dressed in her battle garb, holding a sword in one hand, a bonbori in the other. Somewhere in the darkness, something lurked, an invisible foe that she could not see. "Come out," she cried in her own language, far more pleasing to her ear than what she was forced to speak over here. "Face me. Why do you hide yourself?" But there was no answer from the darkness. She walked, all senses alert, seeking the enemy. And then they were there, behind her. She turned, and saw the figures standing there. A man noble of face but cloaked in shadow, an obscenely large cobra with human eyes beneath the folds of the hood, and a thing that could only be described as a human-sized column of flesh, continually collapsing upon itself and reforming into other shapes. The triad spoke, and their voice was one, but the screams drowned out the words. "Shampoo! Shampoo!" someone was shouting, and the darkness was gone, and arms were holding her, strong arms. "What's wrong?" "" she murmured in Chinese, still halfway between waking and sleeping, not quite sure whose arms were holding her, but not wanting them gone right now. "" Mousse said. "" Shampoo blinked her eyes and took in the situation. She was sitting up in bed, wearing a thin nightgown and little more. The memory of the dream was beginning to fade, but the arms were still around her. Mousse was beside her, concern on his face, holding her tightly. He quickly pulled away, coughing and blushing. "Sorry. I..." "Was awful dream, Mousse," she said softly. He patted her on the back and stood up. "I'm sorry for bursting in like that," he said, looking away from her. His clothing looked as if it had been thrown on hastily. "I woke up and heard you screaming, and..." "Is alright, Mousse," Shampoo said. "I not angry." "It's about time to get up anyway," he said. "We need to open up the restaurant for lunch in an hour, and Cologne doesn't seem to be around. I'll go start breakfast, okay?" Shampoo nodded, and Mousse gave her one last smile before closing the door behind him and leaving her room. She put a hand behind her head; her hair was damp with sweat and tangled. She'd need a shower before anything else. She rose out of bed, and was suprised to find her legs were a bit shaky. She could barely remember what she'd dreamed, only that it was awful. With a soft sigh, she went to her closet and began to select her outfit for the day. The dream had been different somehow from others; more real, more solid. She could remember that much of it, the strange half-reality it had been. Did it mean something? She'd have to talk to her great-grandmother; the old woman would surely know what was going on. ********** Ukyou opened the door to her restaurant from inside, propped her back against it to hold it open, and began to carry her restaurant sign outside to stand by the entrance, welcoming all to Ucchan's okonomiyaki, her pride and joy, and the best place in Toyko, possibly all of Japan, maybe all of the world, to get good okonomiyaki for a good price. The winter day was crisp and chilly, but it only made her feel invigorated. There was very little that could get her down these days; ever since those two months ago when she'd finally been able to let go of Ranma, she'd found new happiness in every little thing she did. It was invigorating, not having to worry all the time about her relationship with him, about what he might be doing with other girls. She'd never felt as free as she did now. It had nearly cost her life, though, that stubborn clinging to Ranma even after she knew there was no hope. The creature they'd slain months ago had nearly consumed her within her dream, but she had triumphed, had won out over him, and emerged a changed person. She smoothed out the hanging banner of the sign, smiling as it fluttered slightly in the breeze. That might be the first customer now, approaching up the morning streets, which were beginning now to swarm with people. He certainly was looking intently at the restaurant, and as he saw her his walk quickened, and the long dark ponytail swung behind him. The straps of a large backpack curved over his slender shoulders, and the expression on his face was one of sheer delight. "Ukyou!" he called as he came closer, and then she realized who it was. Laughing, she got up from her half-crouch and stood to meet Konatsu as he pulled up next to her. "You should have called and told me you were coming," she said, grabbing him by the shoulders. "I wanted to surprise you," Konatsu said with a smile. "How've you been?" "Great, just great," Ukyou said, still half-embracing him. The last time she'd seen him had been two months ago, within the dream world her mind and the mind of Kosaku Akamizu the gaki had created, when his feelings for her had drawn his sleeping mind within the dream, and he had helped her confront and defeat the monster, and leave the dream world behind. He looked wonderful; for one thing, there was no way he could be mistaken for a woman anymore. He was dressed casually in a loose shirt and jeans, and looked damn good to Ukyou's eyes. Even better, there was none of the subservience in his bearing or his eyes that had always been there before. He'd often seemed to fade into the background when he worked in the restaurant; part of it was his ninja training, but another part was his nervousness around other people. The travelling he'd done had obviously been good for him, giving him self-confidence he'd never had before. "Come on in," Ukyou said. "I'll make you breakfast." "Thank you," Konatsu said with a smile. "It's good to see you again, Ukyou." "You too," she said, ushering him inside the restaurant. "Come on, we've got lots to catch up on." ********** "You seem distracted, child," Cologne said as she handed four bowls of ramen to Shampoo. "Is everything alright?" "Yes, great-grandmother," Shampoo said as she took the bowls and headed off. Now wasn't the time to be telling her great-grandmother about the dreams; it could wait until later. She saw Mousse give her a somewhat concerned glance from where he was putting down some orders across the room, and then he looked away from her. She smiled slightly and took the orders to the table, as behind her Cologne gazed intently at her back for a moment. "Four deluxe ramen," she said, laying down the orders in front of the two teenaged couples at the table. They continued chatting and laughing, barely even acknowledging her presence. With a mild sigh, she turned away from them and started towards a newly occupied table to take the orders of the newest customers. At least the lunch crowd wasn't too heavy today; she was feeling strangely disconnected right now. She stopped near the table, opened her mouth to welcome the customers ask for their order, but the words died on her tongue. She smelled smoke, felt the heat of fire upon her body, crisping the edges of the white apron she wore over her other clothing. There was the clash of wood upon wood, voices raised in anger, and for a moment her vision went dark and she felt as if she might collapse right there in the middle of the restaurant. "Hello? Hello? Are you alright?" "" she answered, realized she was speaking Chinese, switched to Japanese. "I fine." The customers at the new table, two girls and a boy, looking at her with a mixture of concern and confusion. "Alright. You kinda looked spaced out there for a moment." "Sorry please," she said, wincing inwardly at how foolish she sounded. "Orders?" "Three of your specials and tea, please." "Thank you. I get." Walking off, she heard one of the girls speak. "Service is a bit strange here, isn't it?" The boy, his voice in reply. "Yeah, but the food makes up for it." She leaned for a moment against a wall, trying to regain her balance. Unconsciously, her hand brushed against the trim of her apron, and she gasped disbelievingly and raised her hand up to eye level, shaking slightly. Upon her fingers, a fine black coating of ash. ********** Hikaru Gosunkugi sighed and closed the book, putting it down on top of the thick stack at the desk he was sitting at. Strips of paper hung out from the pages of the books, indicating spots he'd marked as of particular interest to his current research. Short reminders of what was on the page of a particular bookmark were scrawled on the paper; he couldn't even remember what half of them meant. He rubbed his eyes and looked at the clock on the wall of his room, a grinning Atom Boy hefting the face of the clock overhead. It was past one; he'd been reading since he'd gotten up this morning, and he realized he was very hungry. He was alone in the house, his father away on one of his frequent business trips, his mother out shopping with some of her friends. He stood up, stretched slightly, groaned at the slight kink in his back and headed out the door to the hallway and the stairs that led down to the first floor. Downstairs and in the kitchen, he was in the process of searching through the fridge for something to eat when the phone rang, startling him somewhat in the silence of the empty house. "Hello?" he said, picking it up. "Are you alone in the house?" the voice on the other end of the line whispered. "Who... who is this?" he said nervously. "It's me, Hikaru," the caller said, familiar now. "Hi Kodachi," he said, somewhat relieved. For a moment he'd felt as if he were an actor in a bad horror movie. Although he'd learned a little while ago that movies often didn't compare to reality; reality scared him a lot more these days. "You don't sound quite as enthusiastic to hear from me as I'd hoped, darling," Kodachi said, so seriously he wasn't able to determine whether or not she was joking. He often wasn't sure about things like that with Kodachi; she could say the most serious thing as if it were a joke, and an utter absurdity as if it were pure fact. "Sorry," he said quickly. "I'm a little jumpy right now." "I could help you work off that excess energy," Kodachi said innocently. "I do have some free time right now, and was thinking of dropping by." "Sure," Hikaru said, trying to stop from sounding too eager and nearly being succesful. "How soon can you be here? Mom's out, so..." "We'll have the place to ourselves? How romantic," Kodachi said. "But perhaps I should bring a chaperone. You may be attempting something nefarious with an innocent maid such as myself, with it being us two and no other." He blushed, glad she couldn't see him. "It's not like that..." "Of course. I forget that I am the nefarious one in this our relationship, dear Hikaru," Kodachi said. "Perhaps you should get yourself a chaperone." He smiled slightly; Kodachi, as he'd learned in the past two months, somehow managed to be incredibly agressive while behaving at all times like a complete lady. He never quite figured out how she managed it, or how seriously she took it herself. "I don't think that'll be necessary. When will you be here?" "Now," Kodachi said. "If you'd move into your front hallway, I could see you through the window." "I hate when you do this, you know," Hikaru said with a slightly put-upon sigh as he moved out into the front hallway, carrying the portable handset of the phone with him. Through the window, he could see Kodachi standing in the front yard, one hand holding the cellular phone to her mouth. She smiled and waved to him. Shaking his head and holding back the urge to laugh, he opened the front door and was immediately greeted by an armful of Kodachi. "Warm me up, dear," she said, twining her arms around his neck. "It was awfully cold outside." He embraced Kodachi while attempting to avoid whacking her with the handset of the phone. "You should've knocked. You're like an ice cube, Kodachi. What if no one had been home?" "I would've waited," Kodachi said, touching her cheek to his. Her skin was cold against his, but the effect was pleasant. "Would you really have?" Hikaru said, slightly worried. He never tried to show it, but he was always a little concerned that Kodachi might slip back into her old self, behaving in the strange, obsessive way she had when she'd been in love with Ranma. "Probably not," she said, bringing her hand up and turning his head gently to the side to kiss him. "I'd have broken a window and been waiting for you when you got home," she said when they finished. "You want some tea?" Hikaru said as they pulled apart. "It might help warm you up." "Sounds lovely," Kodachi said, slipping out of her coat and shoes and following him. "So what were you up to all morning?" "Reading," Hikaru said as he got the kettle out of the cupboard and filled it with water at the sink. "The same as you've been doing ever since we got back?" Kodachi said. He wasn't sure, but he thought there were might have been a note of concern in her voice. "Yeah," he said as he put the kettle on the stove. "Going through my books, checking and re-checking, finding new stuff..." "I don't know why you do," Kodachi said. "It's over. Ranma killed that horrible man, and you and he destroyed that island." "That's the thing," Hikaru said as he sat down at the table, Kodachi taking the seat across from him. "It's not over, Kodachi. I don't believe it is. That thing's still asleep under the ocean; whatever that man who took the effigy was is still out there. Why'd he take the effigy in the first place? Why'd he fight with Stalford, and with us?" Kodachi pursed her lips in a slight frown. "Every time we discuss this, you say the same things. But nothing's happened." "Kodachi, that creature... the Sleeper," Hikaru said, shuddering slightly. "I felt its mind, Kodachi. It was like gazing into eternity; I can't even guess how old that thing is. And it's still there, waiting for the time when it can awake. You said that man threw Saotome off like he was a fly, and then disappeared with the effigy; if he had that kind of power, why'd he wait until then to get it? Why didn't he grab it beforehand, when he was with us and we didn't know what he was, when Stalford wasn't even there?" "Who knows?" Kodachi said. "Hikaru, you shouldn't worry so much about this." "I can't help it... the stuff I've read, combined with what I saw and experienced on that island, it makes me... worried. Let me go get one of the books, okay?" he said. "Go ahead," Kodachi said. Hikaru headed for his room, slightly embarassed at her disdain, and returned with a small leatherbound book, cracked with age, placing it down on the table as he sat again. "I found this one a few months ago," Hikaru said. "It was published in 1927, and it's supposedly about Japanese legends. But there's things in here that I've never seen anywhere else." He picked up the book and thumbed to the first bookmark. "Like this. 'And in times long past, the spirits fought a great war with the unnatural things, and after ages of infinite struggle, they triumphed. But they could not destroy them completely, and could only lock them away, and even then some few remained free. In the end, the spirits had to give up much of their own power that they might make the world safe for the children of Amaterasu Omikami. Still though there were a few that walked upon the face of the earth, reduced in strength and often able to act only at certain times and in certain places, but still there, seeking the downfall of mankind and the return to the old times.'" "It sounds similiar to some legends," Kodachi said. "I mean, there are many stories of demons being awakened after centuries and such." "It's just... thinking about it, the way it puts things. The spirits didn't fight demons; they fought 'unnatural things'. And thinking about it, it begins to make more sense what happened. What if that thing asleep under the ocean was one of those unnatural things, sealed away thousands of years ago? What if..." The kettle whistled sharply, cutting him off. He started to rise to turn it off, and Kodachi laid her hand over his on the table. "Perhaps you should lay off the reading for a while, or lighten your load a little. The more you think about it, the more worried you'll get. If something's going to happen, we'll all have to deal with it as it comes." "Yeah, I know," Hikaru said as he turned off the kettle and got out the teapot and the tea. "But there's no reason we can't be prepared." "I'll make absolutely sure the main cannon is fully loaded at the house," Kodachi said with a slight smile. Hikaru paused. "Do you have a cannon?" he asked hesitantly. He hadn't believed her about the pet alligator, until he'd met it two weeks ago. Up close. Far too close for his liking. "Possibly," Kodachi said. "Sasuke generally handles the technical side of things. I'm more into the culinary and domestic work. I can always have him install one; it's good to keep him busy." "Maybe you should," Hikaru said jokingly. His mood was lightened; being with Kodachi usually had that effect on him. He put the teapot and the cups on the table, and poured for Kodachi and himself. "Seriously, Hikaru," Kodachi said as she sipped. "I wish you would not worry so. As long as we have each other, then we'll be fine, will we not?" "Yeah," Hikaru said, suprised at how much he believed it. "As long as we have each other." Kodachi smiled and nodded, and Hikaru smiled back. Two wayward souls once, they had now found something in each other that gave them direction. As long as they were together, it would be alright. ********** "...yeah, he's cute and all, but I never know if he's really serious about where we're going or if he's just using me or..." Nabiki absently picked another french fry out of the container and popped it in her mouth, half-listening to the conversation of her friends at the table, but generally bored. They were nice, but their conversation always seemed to centre around either clothing or boys, both of which Nabiki found interesting at times, just not always. They were sitting in a burger place in Maruimachi, the town next to the Yasuyori college campus. It was small in size, but so was the college. Yasuyori was extremely exclusive, and dedicated only to putting out the finest graduates in business studies. It was also extremely expensive; she'd been lucky in that she'd received a partial scholarship, and there'd been enough in the family accounts for the first year tuition. If her investments went right, she'd be fine until her graduation; if they didn't, she'd have to find some other way to raise the money. It had been a real change, going to college. She had to live with a roommate in an apartment barely the size of her own room back home. That didn't bother her much; she'd spent most of her time at home in her room anyway, having little reason to go anywhere else in the house. Harder to handle was the responsibilities; the cooking, the cleaning, all the things Kasumi had done when she was living at home. They split the work fairly evenly down the middle. "Nabiki?" She gradually realized that she was being addressed. "She's spacing out on us," one of her friends giggled. Nabiki smiled and shook her head. "Sorry, girls," she said. "What is it, Sayoko?" Sayoko, the girl who'd spoken to her first, was her roommate. They'd been matched together by a program at the college, and Nabiki had been slightly worried about who she might end up with as a roommate, but all her fears had been dispelled when she met Sayoko. Like Nabiki, she was at Yasuyori on a partial scholarship. She was as good with numbers as Nabiki was, although she didn't have the business sense or instinct that Nabiki possesed She was quiet, and pretty in a delicate way, with shoulder length dark hair. "What about you and Tatewaki? Don't you have something going with him?" Jun asked. Jun was in the opposite situation from Nabiki and Sayoko; while she was intelligent enough, she was here not because of any truly exceptional ability but because her parents had the money to pay for her tuition. She had no snobbery in her, though, and along with Sayoko she'd become the closest friend Nabiki had made at Yasuyori so far. She was tall and athletic, with long hair that she usually pinned back into a bun. That and her glasses made her look older than she really was. Nabiki laughed. "Who, Kuno-baby? You're kidding, right?" "See?" Jun said to one of the other girls, who Nabiki didn't know very well. "She's even got a pet name for him. That's a sign." "Oh please," Nabiki said, gesturing with a french fry for emphasis. "I call him that because it bugs the hell out of him. If it were up to him, everyone would be calling him Upperclassman Kuno still, and that includes the professors." "Well, you are over at his place a lot," Sayoko said quietly. "And he does take you out sometimes." "Only because I make him," Nabiki said. "Kuno and I go way back, guys. I've known him since grade school, and he hasn't matured much in the intervening years. We've found we have a useful business relationship, nothing more." "Are you suuuuure?" Jun said, smiling as she drew out the last word for emphasis. "I mean, come on, you've gotta admit he's kinda cute." Nabiki smiled slightly. "Maybe just a little." "Second sign. Pet name and admission of cuteness," Jun said. "Nabiki Tendo, you are hereby charged with the possibility of having a thing for Tatewaki Kuno." "I do not have a thing for Kuno-b... Tatewaki," Nabiki said. "Can't I think a guy is possibly cute without having a thing for him? Jun, do you think he's cute?" "Kinda," Jun said. "Good body too." "Sayoko?" Nabiki said. Sayoko blushed and looked down, saying something under her breath. "You see?" Nabiki said. "And neither of you have a thing for him. And neither do I." "Okay Nabiki, you win," Jun said. "You do not have a thing for your Kuno-baby." "He's not my Kuno-baby, Jun," Nabiki sighed. "Third sign, getting defensive," Jun said. "You going to the party at Keiko's after the last exam next week?" one of the other girls asked Jun. To Nabiki's relief, the conversation turned immediately away from her being the centre of attention to the party taking place next week. Keiko had a large house in town, and had called a celebration for the end of winter exams, to coincide with the fact that both her parents would be out of town. She was friend of Jun's, and the invitation had filtered down to Nabiki and Sayoko through Jun. The time passed quickly, and as Nabiki glanced absentmindedly at her watch, she started at the time. "Gotta go, girls," she said abruptly, sliding out of the booth and grabbing her bag out from under the table. "Where you off to, Nabiki?" Jun asked. "Study session with Kuno-baby," Nabiki said. "Gotta get ready for tomorrow. I'll see you around, guys." "It's your night to make dinner, remember," Sayoko said. Nabiki nodded and headed for the door. "And have fun at Kuno-baby's," Jun called. The rest of the table broke into laughter, as Nabiki resisted the urge to bang her head on the door a few times before opening it. ********** "Dammit, Ryoga, stay put," Ranma said as he snagged Ryoga by the collar to stop him from wandering away into the depths of the train station. "I was just trying to get a look at the clock," Ryoga said as Ranma released him. "It's over there, Ryoga," Ranma said, pointing in the direction opposite to the one Ryoga had been heading. "What time does her train arrive?" Ryoga said. "Don't you remember? The schedule said five," Ranma said. "Unless she somehow missed that one." "Do you think that happened? It's five now," Ryoga said. "No, wait, it's... When did we start using celcius to measure time?" "Ryoga, that's the weather forecast on the digital display," Ranma said wearily. "Is your sense of time going along with your sense of direction? It's only ten to five." "Do you think she's going to show up? Did she sound mad when you talked to her?" "Did she sound mad when she talked to you? You were the one who called her." "Yeah, but you talked to her too, I mean she might be..." "Ryoga, she'll be here," Ranma said. "Trust me." "Alright," Ryoga said. "I hope she isn't mad." "She isn't going to be mad, Ryoga," Ranma said. "Why are you so damn nervous about this? She knows you get lost; things like this happen." "I just don't want to do anything to screw it up," Ryoga said. "I'm so happy right now, I'm worried that it won't last." "Are you gonna... you know, ask her?" Ranma said. "I don't know," Ryoga said. "I'm worried how she'll respond. Will she think we're going too fast, will she want to get married right away, what? There's just too many uncertainties, I need to make sure..." "Ryoga, you've been living with her for what, six months now?" Ranma said. "Yeah," Ryoga said with a nod. "About that." "If she hasn't thrown your butt out yet, I'd say you're together for life," Ranma said with a smirk. "Anyone who can put up with you for half a year is definitely capable of putting up with you for the rest of her life." Ryoga looked annoyed for a moment, and then his face quirked into a smile. "I suppose you're right." "Train 304 is now arriving at Platform 2," the smooth voice said over the PA system. "Train 304 at Platform 2." "That's her train, isn't it?" Ryoga said. Ranma nodded, and the two of them walked up towards the train now pulling in, stopping at the railing between the boarding and waiting areas. The doors opened and people began to pour off the train. They didn't spot Akari at first, but then they saw her, in a dark gray coat over a blue dress. Her face to Ranma looked as anxious as Ryoga's. "Akari! Over here," Ranma called, waving to her and nudging Ryoga with his elbow, who quickly joined in waving and calling. Her face seemed to light up with relief when she saw them, and she hurried quickly through the lines until she was next to them. "Ryoga, you had me so worried," she said, hugging him tightly. "Why didn't you call sooner?" "I didn't find any place I could call from until this morning," Ryoga said. "That was when I found him," Ranma said, smiling a bit as he watched the embracing couple. Akari found her way out of Ryoga's arms after a moment, and bowed slightly to Ranma. "Thank you so much, Ranma," she said. Ranma waved a hand dismissively. "Ah, it was nothin'... No big deal, Akari." "Maybe not for you," Ryoga said quietly, coming to stand beside his girlfriend and taking her hand in his. "But it meant a lot to us. I don't know how long I might have been gone if you hadn't found me." "We kinda found each other," Ranma said, putting a hand behind his head and grinning, somewhat embarassed by all the thanks. "You and Akane should come up to visit us sometime," Akari said with a smile. "We'd love to have you two." "Just might take you up on that some time," Ranma said. "Anyway, I gotta get back home. When's the train back leaving for you two?" Akari glanced at her watch. "Another twenty minutes. I'm sorry we can't stay longer, but I don't like to leave the pigs alone for too long." "It's alright," Ranma said. "You two take care now, okay?" "We will," Ryoga said, putting his arm around Akari and raising a hand in farewell as Ranma walked off. Ranma waved back, and grinned as he heard the two of them talking behind him. "Honestly, I'm going to have to put a tag on your ear or something," Akari said, her voice light and teasing, a slight hint of laughter behind it. "Maybe we could just get a rope and tie our wrists together?" Ryoga responded. Ranma paused at the exit to the train station, head cocked back. He wished he found it as easy to talk with Akane as Ryoga seemed to be able to talk with Akari. "Well, that's an idea," Akari said. "I don't ever want to be apart from you, Ryoga." "Me neither," Ryoga said. There was silence then, and Ranma knew they were kissing, even if he couldn't see them. Smiling, he started to head for home and Akane. "After dinner," he said, trying to make the words sound definite and assured. "I'll give it to her after dinner." He shivered slightly as he stepped outside, buttoning up his coat. The winter sky was grey; there might be snow soon, perhaps even a storm. He'd better hurry home. ********** "Okay, Kuno-baby, one more time," Nabiki said, tapping a pencil to her mouth as she sprawled in Kuno's desk chair, her feet propped up on the desk. Kuno's bedroom in his apartment was about half the size of the entire apartment she shared with Sayoko. Beyond that there was a sitting room and a kitchen, both larger than the bedroom. "Very well," Kuno said from his position on the floor, legs crossed and eyes closed in meditative contemplation. "Ask away." "Fill in the blank, Kuno-baby. Supply and..." "De... de..." "Right track, Kuno-baby." "DEMONS!" Nabiki blinked. "Huh?" "Some demons keep the answer from me!" Kuno said, springing to his feet. "Sit," Nabiki said flatly. "I'll help you study if you want me to, but not if you're going to act like this." Kuno grumbled and began to lower himself back down. Nabiki stopped him in midsit by raising one finger. "While you're up, actually, could you get me another cola?" she said. "Very well," Kuno said, heading out of the room. Nabiki watched his back for a moment as he went; that was the first outburst she'd seen from him in a while. He'd been much calmer since he went to college, but there were still things that could set him off; mention of Akane or Ranma, stress, or many other things. He returned a moment later, tossed her a can and sat down on the floor, popping the tab on his own soda with a hiss. It was nearly six; she'd have to start heading back to the apartment to make dinner. Cup ramen, most likely; neither her nor Sayoko were particularly dedicated cooks. "Supply and demand, is it not, Nabiki?" Kuno said from the floor suddenly. She nodded and took a sip of her drink, then gave him a few small claps. "Congratulations, Kuno-baby. What did you do, check the text in the other room?" she said. Kuno frowned. "I am insulted you think so little of my intellect, Nabiki Tendo. It actually came to me while I was in the kitchen." He raised up his soda can and looked at it contemplatively. "I have a low supply of these because of your constant demand for them." Nabiki laughed out loud at the expression of utter seriousness on his face. "Not bad, Kuno-baby. Pretty funny." He looked at her quizzically. "I was not aware I had made a joke, Nabiki Tendo." "Never mind," Nabiki said with a wave of her hand. She paused and looked at Kuno for a moment, who still looked puzzled. She wished she had her camera at hand; the photo would have been priceless. Well, it at least would have been amusing. "So, are you ready for this exam tomorrow?" Nabiki said. Kuno nodded. "Of course. I am ever prepared." "Supply and..." "Demand," Kuno said triumphantly. "I think you've got it," Nabiki said. "That part, at least. We'll see how you've done with the other course material tomorrow." "What of you?" Kuno said. "Are you prepared?" "Naturally," Nabiki said. "I was reading these textbooks when I was in junior high." "Ah," Kuno said. "I was of the mind that these study sessions were of mutual benefit. Now, I see that they were only for mine." "Don't get your hopes up, Kuno-baby," Nabiki said. "I need to remind myself of all this stuff, after all. Besides, your apartment's got a better stocked kitchen then mine." "Ah," Kuno said. "I see." He stood up and went to the window, his back to her, hands folded behind him. "It has begun to snow," he said after a few moments. Nabiki took her feet off the desk and studied him intently. He was certainly acting strange. He glanced back at her, a thoughtful expression on his face. "We are a strange pair, you and I, are we not?" "What are you talking about?" Nabiki said. "How long have we known each other, Nabiki Tendo?" he said, turning and looking out the window again. "Quite a long time," Nabiki said, only now realizing it herself. "More than ten years." "Aye," Kuno said. "Do you remember the day we first met?" "Not really," Nabiki said. "Do you?" He nodded, still not facing her. "It was on the first day of school, during recess. I was not the skilled warrior I was then, and several of the older boys had taken it upon themselves to belabour me about the schoolyard." "What?" Nabiki said. Kuno sighed. "They beat me up." "Oh yeah..." Nabiki said, snapping her fingers. "You were sitting under that tree all roughed up and crying." "I was not crying," Kuno said stiffly. "I had something in my eye." "And I cleaned you up," Nabiki said. "And then said I owed you a thousand yen in medical bills," Kuno said. He gave a short, unfamiliar laugh. Nabiki chuckled slightly. "Old memories." "Much like new ones," Kuno said softly. Nabiki frowned and stood up, walked to stand behind him at the window. Snowflakes were falling down in the air outside, tumbling and trailing, occasionally blown against the window. "Kuno..." Nabiki said, slightly suprised at the concern in her own voice. He glanced back, and the expression on his face was sad and contemplative. "Forgive me, Nabiki Tendo," he said. "The snow doth make me melancholy." He turned again, looked out the window, and said something in English that Nabiki only caught snatches of. "What was that?" she asked. "Thou art a summer bird, that even in the haunch of winter sings the lifting up of day," Kuno said softly, translating it into Japanese. "Is that about me?" Nabiki said teasingly. Kuno didn't answer, and so Nabiki spoke no more, only stood with him and watched the snow fall past outside the window. ********** "It's snowing, Shampoo," Mousse said as he came in from hauling the last of the day's garbage out. White flakes spotted his dark hair, and his glasses immediately fogged up as he stepped inside. With a sigh, he took them off and began to clean them on the hem of his robe. Shampoo looked up from wiping one of the tables and smiled slightly. "Lots of snow?" "Tons," Mousse said. "It's really coming down out there." He finished cleaning his glasses and put them back on, then walked behind the counter and returned with a rag, going to work on one of the tables Shampoo hadn't gotten to yet. "Are you feeling okay, Shampoo?" he asked as he worked. "You've seemed a bit out of it all day." "No worry, Mousse," Shampoo said, flashing him what she hoped looked like a genuine smile. "I fine." "I hope you aren't getting sick," Mousse said, glancing up at her. "I'll have even more work to do if that happens." "Less talk, more work," Cologne called from the kitchen. "I'm not paying you two to socialize." The two of them worked in silence for the next little while, Cologne's presence in the kitchen making them wary of conversation. Finally finished, they were beginning to put the chairs up on the tables when Cologne headed out from the kitchen, her staff tapping on the floor as she hopped across the room. "Shampoo, come into the storeroom, please," she said. "There are things we must discuss." Shampoo put down the chair she was lifting. "Great-grandmother, restaurant is not..." "Mousse can finish up, child. Come," Cologne said, heading to the door that led to the storeroom and entering without waiting to see if Shampoo followed. Tangling her hands nervously in front of her, the young Amazon did, with one last backward glance at Mousse. The storeroom was dark; she flicked the lightswitch on, and for a moment she could not spot Cologne, and then she saw her great-grandmother was perched atop one of the stacked crates, sitting down with her staff across her lap. Shampoo continued to stand, slightly nervous. "Sit down, Shampoo," Cologne said. Shampoo sat in a meditative position and looked up at her great-grandmother. "Now, tell me what's wrong." "Great-grandmother..." Shampoo said, not sure how to begin. "You've been jumping at every little thing all day," Cologne said. "Is that fit behaviour for an Amazon?" "No, great-grandmother," Shampoo said, shaking her head. "An Amazon is always steady, always brave." "Child, I'm not chastising you," Cologne said. "But if there's something wrong, I want to help. And I can't help you unless you tell me what's going on." "I having dreams, great-grandmother," Shampoo blurted out. Cologne looked evenly down on her. "What kind of dreams?" she said. "Bad dreams," Shampoo said. "Can't remember much of them." "Surely you have had nightmares before, Shampoo," Cologne said. "Is my great-grandaughter frightened of mere phantoms of the mind?" "Is different, great-grandmother," Shampoo said. "Feels... more real. Like I there." "Is that all?" Cologne said. Shampoo shook her head. "Go on." "In restaurant today... when I serving, for a moment... like I was... somewhere else," Shampoo said. "What was this place like?" "Only see darkness, but there was fire... people fighting..." She pulled off her apron and held it up, showing the slightly crisped edge of the hem and the small flakes of ash. "Then I find this." Cologne nodded. "I see." "Do you... do you know what happening, great-grandmother?" Shampoo said. "I know what is happening to you, child," Cologne said with another nod. "The gift is awakening within you." "Gift?" Shampoo said, puzzled. "It happens to the women of our line, though only rarely," Cologne said. "My grandmother had it. I have it. Now you have it." "Gift of what?" Shampoo said. "Of... prophecy, I suppose. To know at all times a vague feeling of what is about to happen, to have a certain knowledge of what shall take place. In some times of great import, dreams, or even visions during waking hours." "What... what do the dreams mean?" Shampoo asked. Cologne shook her head. "I can't answer that for you, child. You must seek the answer yourself," Cologne said. "It is your gift, after all. We can talk more about this later." "Great-grandmother..." Shampoo said. "Go back and finish closing down the restaurant with Mousse," Cologne said shortly, hopping down from the crates. "I need to go out." She didn't wait for Shampoo to respond, and was out the door quickly. Shampoo sat still for a moment, her hand nervously pressed against her lower lip, and then she got up and followed. Cologne was nowhere to be seen; only Mousse, sweeping the floor with a broom. "Where great-grandmother go?" Shampoo asked. "I don't know," Mousse said, shrugging his shoulders as he worked. "She just breezed out of here." Shampoo slumped slightly; Mousse raised a hand as if he were going to come over, then hesitantly dropped it. "Is everything okay?" he said. "There's nothing wrong, is there?" "I... no, nothing wrong," Shampoo said. "I go clean up kitchen." Mousse watched her go back behind the curtain. His eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses, then he sighed and continued to sweep. "Will there ever be a time, Shampoo, when you will let me in?" he said quietly to himself, expecting no answer and receiving none. ********** Ranma sat in the dojo, trying to concentrate entirely upon the feel of the hard wood beneath him. His eyes were closed, yet he tried to picture every aspect of the dojo as if he could actually see it. The wooden floor, the walls, the ceiling... shaping it within his mind as surely as if it were actually there in front of him. He had to find focus; the task before him was difficult. He had faced monsters and fighters beyond number, but he was at home with those battles; it was the battles with his own heart that he so often lost. Maybe he should wait a little longer; try to plan, try to think. "No," he said, shaking his head and opening his eyes. "I can't keep on puttin' this off forever. I have to do it now, dammit." "Have to do what now, m'boy?" Ranma froze. He'd had his eyes closed, locked in a meditative state, for almost an hour. He'd been sure he'd be able to feel the presence of anyone entering. There, sitting in front of him, legs crossed in the same position as Ranma, sat Happosai. He'd had no sign of the old man's presence; nothing at all. That disturbed him. Happosai should have splashed him with a bucket and began groping him by now by all rights. "Answer my question, Ranma," Happosai said. "Nothing, old man," Ranma said, rising to his feet and turning his back. Maybe he could just get rid of Happosai and get on with what he'd been intending to do. "Eh? Wouldn't have anything to do with this, would it?" Happosai said. "Guess it can't be too important... you never made any objections when I took it." Ranma froze. So much for that hope. "Listen, old man..." he began, spinning on his heel. Happosai casually tossed the ring box from hand to hand and looked at him evenly. "I'm listening," Happosai said. "This is no joke," Ranma said, trying to sound as intimidating as possible. "Give that back, and you won't get hurt." Happosai laughed. Not a lecherous chuckle, but a laugh of genuine amusement. "Hurt me... Boy, you have no idea of what it takes to hurt me." Ranma moved suddenly, making a grab for the ring box in the middle of its arc between Happosai's hands. He hit the far wall of the dojo a moment later, groaning painfully as he slid to the floor. "You'll have to do better than that," Happosai said. Ranma pushed himself to his feet and rushed him again, and was immediately introduced to the opposite wall from the one he'd met moments beforehand. "Give that back," Ranma said as he got back up. "Damn you, old man." "Well, if you won't tell me what it is, perhaps I should ask your father," Happosai said. "Or maybe just have a look for myself." "No!" Rush. Flip. Ranma met the first wall again. "Ah, a ring," Happosai crooned. There was a click as he closed the box again. "And what would you be carrying this around for, m'boy? Gonna ask some lucky girl to marry you?" Ranma felt the blood pounding in his ears. Happosai was going to ruin everything, just when things seemed to be going right for once, the old man or someone else always had to ruin them. "Give. It. Back. Now, Happosai," Ranma said. Happosai smirked and held the ring box out in the palm of one wrinkled hand. "Why don't you try and take it from me, boy? We could have a delightful chase all over the house, and when everyone wants to know what's going on, we can tell them." he said, grinning nastily. Ranma's heart sank; that wasn't the way to do it. Kasumi already knew, but if his mother and father, or, god forbid, Akane's father were to find out before he was able to talk to Akane, everything would be ruined. He knew that would happen. It always happened. "Alright," he said, slumping back against the wall. "You've got me, old man. What am I gonna have to do to get it back? Give you a free grope or two? Maybe some photos to keep you warm at night when you're all by yourself? I don't care; you win. Just give it back to me." There was a faint fading in Happosai's smile, but then it was back in full force. "Nothing like that. I just feel like doing some training with my student. You'll join me on my nightly rounds for a few days, and then you'll get this back." "You want me to help you steal underwear?" Ranma said incredulously. "Look, old man, I don't know..." "I wonder where Soun and Genma are?" Happosai said musingly. Ranma nearly exploded, but realized that whatever satisfaction he could have got from pounding on the old man would be worthless in the long run. That is, if he was ever able to lay a finger on the old man in the first place. "Alright," Ranma said. "One condition." "What?" Happosai said. "I'm not carrying the stuff," Ranma said, gritting his teeth. "I want that back, but it's not gonna do me any good if everyone ends up thinking I'm some kinda deviant." "And why would they ever think that?" Happosai said innocently. "Come on, boy. We start tonight." "Start what tonight?" Ranma froze; the moment seemed to stretch on forever, Akane standing in the entrance to the dojo, her arms folded over her chest, looking at him and Happosai a bit suspiciously. "Start... Start..." Ranma stuttered. "Why, Ranma and I are starting some special training tonight," Happosai said. "Aren't we Ranma?" Ranma studied Akane, trying to figure out what she was thinking. It didn't work in the slightest. "Yeah," he finally said. "Special training, Akane. Guy stuff. You wouldn't understand." As soon as he saw her expression change, he knew the words had been wrong. He'd only wanted to keep her from finding out about the ring; Happosai might let something slip, either by accident or on purpose, if they stayed here much longer. "Fine," Akane said. "I don't think I would understand your training, Ranma. Go off with Happosai and train; I was going to ask if you wanted to study with me for the exams, but I guess you're too busy with your guy stuff." "Akane, that wasn't what I meant," Ranma said desperately. "Then what did you mean?" she said. Ranma had no reply. Akane glared at him once, then turned and left the dojo. He heard her stomping down the hallway as he turned to face Happosai. "Let's just get this over with," Ranma said. "I'll be waiting in the front yard, old man." He left, through the back entrance of the dojo, wanting no chance of encountering Akane again. Maybe if he was lucky, he'd have a chance to explain things to her after this was cleared up. "Damn you, old man," he whispered as he closed the door behind him. The winter air was chilly, and a light dusting of snow was already coating the ground, with more falling around him. He wished he'd brought a coat for a moment, but then gritted his teeth and started to head around to the front of the house. The front door opened, and Kasumi stepped out as he walked into the front yard. She handed him his coat, glancing at him questioningly, but he simply took it and nodded a wordless thanks. She went back inside the house without saying a word, but he'd seen the flash of disappointment in her eyes. "Damn you, Happosai," he whispered again. "Damn you." Back in the dojo, Happosai let out a long sigh in the empty space and cupped the ring box in both of his tiny hands. He flipped it open, looked at the gold band that represented so much. "I'm sorry, boy," he said quietly, in a tone of voice he would never let anyone else ever hear him use. "But this is the only way I know how to do these things." He closed the box, tucked it away, and headed out into the front yard to join his unwilling student. The night awaited, and so, perhaps, did other things. ********** Darkness. Still, absolute darkness, for how long he did not know. Paralyzed, helpless, sealed. He ceased to be able to measure time, for there was no change in the darkness. He slept often; for how long, he did not know. Each time he awoke, it was the same. Darkness there and nothing more. It was not darkness so much as a total absence of all senses. He was aware, but he could not see or hear, smell or touch. He slept more and more, and was aware less and less. And then, suddenly, after so much darkness, he was aware again, awake again, could see and hear and smell and touch again. And he saw only darkness, heard his own breathing, smelt the musty scent of stone and earth, felt rough rock all around him. He was trapped, entombed, buried alive. He had to escape; had to. Now that he could move again, it was not hard. He carved a path straight up, sometimes shattering rock, sometimes digging through it as if it were soft mud, sometimes simply vapourizing it. It took time, but he had the time. And then there was no more rock to move through, and he was free. He glanced around, in dazed wonder at the scale of the steel and glass room he was within. The place felt familiar, but the sight was utterly alien. He glanced down; it was not cold rough earth from which he'd emerged, but a smooth and polished floor. He clutched something in each hand; in his right, the familiar handle of his weapon, in the left something else. He opened the closed fingers of his left hand, and looked at the dark figurine there, smooth and black and small. And it all came rushing back to him in a flash of searing memory. The last few moments... Oh, the time. How long had it been? He sunk to his knees, supporting himself with his weapon, and wept bitterly. "Oh," he said. "Oh, I have failed." He glanced at the dark figurine. "No. Only delayed; only delayed." He stood, looked around. He could feel vague traces of them, some far, some near. Could they feel him as well? Perhaps. He smiled grimly. Let them know; let them know he was coming. Let all know. He could feel the lines of power running through the ground, spreading out in every direction. He reached out, snagged one, wrapped it around himself like a cloak, and then he was gone. ********** The snow fell throughout the night on Tokyo, and in the morning would leave a heavy blanket across her streets. And through the city streets trudged an old master and his unwilling pupil. And in her room, a girl wondered of the actions of the one she loved. And in one restaurant, two people sat and talked late into the night, catching up on the past six months they had been apart, and in another, three slept, one disturbed by dreams, one disturbed by lack of dreams, and one disturbed for reasons he did not quite know. And there were more, more who either awake or asleep were all connected to each other somehow, though some might be far and some near. And the snow fell upon Tokyo, piling up in drifts and settling itself upon the rooftops like a patient beast. Something, although no one could quite say what, had begun.