Ryoga was painfully aware of the female body in his arms. The men's bathroom at the airport wasn't exactly the most romantic spot, however, and he had a long list of questions in his head.
"Do you..."
"Quiet. They are still audible."
Ryoga frowned. Kuno was very good at getting on a guy's nerves. Yet, Ryoga understood the problem and kept his thoughts to himself. A smack to Kuno's skull could wait for another time. He shifted his grip on Akane and leaned against the bathroom wall. The longer they waited, the heavier Akane got.
He could hear the voices, mostly male, asking various questions. They sounded confused. Ryoga could relate; shouldn't they be in an uproar over the woman's body? He just wanted to get out of the damn bathroom.
Then, thankfully, the voices began to subside and there was silence once again. Kuno opened the door a crack and peered out. He opened it a bit further and stuck his head out.
"The way appears clear. We must make haste." Kuno slipped out the door and held it open for Ryoga.
Ryoga exited the bathroom and looked each way down the hall. "Which way? We don't want to run into security." Getting lost probably wouldn't be too good an idea either.
"This way," Kuno said and headed down the hall. The airport hadn't been evacuated, most of the people had simply fled in fear. Kuno led them into a gift shop where they hunkered down and waited. When the people came back, they would blend in and make a safe getaway.
"Did you see that woman was gone?" Ryoga whispered. "No blood either." That must have been why the security had gone so quickly.
"I saw. I can only hope she is actually destroyed this time," Kuno said solemnly.
"This time?"
"Yes. I thought I had destroyed her before, but apparently beheading was the only way."
Ryoga swallowed. "Beheading? What... what did you do to her before?"
"A basic cut across her stomach, disemboweling her. She gave the appearance of death and followed us here. I hope it is for the last time." He quieted when a cacophony of voices headed in their direction.
The airport quickly got back into its normal operation as all the passengers, workers, and well-wishers returned. Ryoga and Kuno stood up, supporting Akane between them, and mixed in with all the other people. They received some strange looks, but with their bags, Akane appeared to simply be an exhausted traveler.
Ryoga, Kuno and Akane made it out of the airport and waited for a cab. "Too many cab rides," Ryoga said, dropping the bag he was carrying.
"Be glad we are back in Japan. The surroundings are familiar."
"To you maybe."
Akane groaned and shook her head. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked around groggily. She stared at Ryoga for a moment, her vision sharpening, then at Kuno. That made her automatically alert. "You're OK!" she exclaimed. "Did Kamiko heal you?"
"Yes."
Akane frowned. "The creature?" she asked, unsure of her memories.
"Returned to its... home, I suppose. Back in the staff."
Akane relaxed. When she had seen the creature in the airport, its presence was barely noticed, but she had known it was there to help her. So it was important to her to know that it was OK. She looked over at Ryoga. "How are you?"
Ryoga looked like he was going to say something angry for a moment, then it passed. "I'm confused. I saw you... heal? Heal Kuno and you had three eyes... Three eyes! And no one will explain what's going on!" Ryoga looked down at his feet, a bit ashamed of yelling at Akane. "After that woman was... dead, you were..."
"I was what, Ryoga?"
Kuno looked nervous, knowing what Ryoga would say. He had been too frightened at the time to pay attention to the fact that she had pinned him to the wall with her body.
"You were..." Ryoga's cheeks turned scarlet at the memory. "You were all over him."
"I was what?!"
"Hibiki, that is untrue. She was merely..."
"What was I doing?" Akane was near hysterics.
Kuno looked calmly at Akane. "Kamiko was simply showing me that the creature was not to be harmed. I understood her wishes and shall obey them. It was not a repeat occurrence of the other night."
"Oh, good," Akane said, relieved.
"What 'other night'?" Ryoga asked, not sure how he should feel about the statement.
"Nothing important," Akane and Kuno said in unison.
Ryoga frowned at them. "Yeah, sure," he said as a cab pulled up.
The boy was strong, even if he didn't look it. Everything about him screamed strength and power. It wasn't common in one so young. Yet, in his spirit, she could see his weakness. It was weak with indecision and hatred, and indecision about his hatred. The boy could never realize his full potential until he cast those things aside.
Kamiko touched her wu's mind gently, not wanting to alert him of her presence. She was afraid she would find the pain and depression that was there before. No wonder others were unconcerned for him; he kept everything tightly under control, hidden from view, never to be unleashed.
He tried only to convey his strengths and hide his weaknesses, and they were many. That was why she had so much trouble with him. He was immature, insecure and deathly afraid of rejection. In fact, he was more immature than Akane because he never let his true feelings out. He was a child in a young man's body with the responsibilities of a man twice his age forced on his shoulders.
Only a child... There were things she would never understand. The host of unpleasant memories involving his family had frightened her, but said volumes about his behavior.
Maybe she had been too harsh on him. He had tried, given himself to every task... He tried to be compliant, but there were some things he just would not allow himself to do. Maybe it was time to teach him...
Kuno shook his head and immediately Kamiko withdrew. He was gaining in power and ability most definitely; it was a surprise to see how quickly her influence worked on him. Good thing she had made them believe her power was so limited, or who knows what sort of demands they would be making of her.
Tatewaki Kuno was not the best choice, but he was not as bad as she first though him to be. Akane was a completely different story. She had incredible strength, but that seemed to be her most valuable and her most damning trait. Akane often hid behind her strength when she was afraid to show what she was really thinking. Akane was not particularly patient or understanding, but she showed her heart often enough.
Kamiko supposed that she just did not understand children and their habits. Both of them were truly puzzling and that was not a state she could afford to be in.
Their minds were in disarray and that was something else that would not do well. Kamiko started on Akane's frazzled mind. She tsked; how Akane ever managed anything with her mind in such a mess was a mystery.
A nudge here and Akane was less hyperactive. A nudge there and Akane was thinking rationally. A few other select nudges and Akane was relaxed and prepared, mentally and physically. Next was the tricky part. Her wu was a little more... resistant.
He didn't like change, he didn't like to be changed. The less things that changed around him, the better. No doubt it was a side effect of his unenviable childhood. Kamiko poked and prodded, lightly so as not to to be discovered. Thankfully, he was not as depressed as he had been before; his conversation on the plane had seemed to help him even though such painful memories were revealed.
'What are you...'
Kamiko withdrew quickly, not realizing she had been dawdling. He would have to learn eventually; they both would. They deserved at least that. Gently, she touched Kuno's mind again and felt him shrink away. Was he that afraid of her? She supposed they had not gotten to known each other under very good circumstances. Maybe if she hadn't been forced to share a body...
"Don't be concerned. I was only trying to soothe you. Akane needed it quite badly."
He did the mental equivalent of relaxing. 'Oh. It is not necessary...'
"You may know yourself, but you do not know your mind."
Kuno's legs felt wobbly, even sitting down, as he suddenly felt very, very relaxed. 'I... I see your point.' Then his strength returned and he was fine. 'Have you been helping us?'
"Only in this small way. Truly, my power is limited like this, and in fact, I use your own strength to do such things."
'The bond is that strong?'
Kamiko laughed. "I can understand that the concept of a soul is difficult to grasp so you might not know the power in two merged souls. Even though I am in one body, it is almost as if I am in yours as well as Akane's."
'Why did you not make the power of this bond known before?'
"Because you two must learn to get along without me. I will not always be able to assist you. You have done well so far."
Kuno nodded. The praise was nice, but felt somewhat hollow. 'Before, what did you mean how did I do that? How did I do what?'
"I can read your thoughts and speak directly to your mind. You did the same to me. It was most unexpected."
'How did I do that?'
"It is difficult to say. With enough time and the proper teacher, you could be taught without the bond. Unfortunately, most humans that aren't predisposed to such powers rarely live long enough to learn. The bond allows you to do this with very little teaching, but only between the two of us. There are other things as well, but..."
'Do you not think I am worthy of such things?'
Kamiko sighed. "Don't forget, I know your thoughts, your feelings, your fears... If I could give you the powers of Kaiyanwang himself, I would. You are my protector; you are more than worthy of the knowledge I hold. Yet, the use of this power would draw them to us, and that is not something we can afford. Do you understand?"
'Yes,' he responded hesitantly.
"Tatewaki Kuno, I know your heart the same way I know my own. I know what frightens you and why. I know what you hold dear and why. If ever you are frightened and think yourself alone, know that I am with you."
A strange sensation, like flowing water, surrounded Kuno for a moment and seemed to tighten on his waist. 'What...'
"You feel it? Imagine it is your tie to me. Envision it as a thread that spans the distance between us, no matter how far apart we are."
Kuno imagined and almost immediately, a glowing, silvery thread appeared between himself and Akane. He nearly called out in surprise.
"I will allow you, this time, to follow it. You did it before with out it, but this thread will make it easier. Try it."
Kuno had a hard time concentrating on the thread. It was only an imaginary line; how could he follow it? With that thought, he got light-headed and his whole perspective changed. He was zipping through the air, following the thread straight to Akane.
For some reason, he expected Akane's mind to be... empty. Not empty of a brain or intelligence, but, well he just expected it to be a wide open space. So much for that idea.
Akane shuddered. She wasn't sure what, but something wasn't right. She had been prepared for anything and supremely confident when warning bells started going off. Looking around nervously, Akane fiddled with the strap of her bag.
"No. You are doing it wrong, If you continue, you will disturb her further. It is important that you do not meddle in such things until you understand them."
'I am sorry.'
"Try this."
Kuno 'felt' a pair of arms wrap around him and two hands grasp his forearms. He looked behind him, wanting to see Kamiko, but neither of them had visual representations.
"You must be more subtle." Kamiko manipulated his arms and hands, doing different motions and firing minor bursts of electricity.
'What is all that?'
"Finally showing some interest? I could show you some things if you want." She could feel his quiver of excitement.
'Yes.'
Kamiko chuckles. That was one thing she liked about humans: their curiosity. And their drive. "So even the great Tatewaki Kuno likes new toys."
Kuno sagged mentally under her teasing. 'I wish I was great. If I was, I would not be here. I would not be afraid of Mother and Father. I would have been able to help Kodachi. I never would have tried...'
Kamiko's voice roared at him. "Never are you to mention that! Never!"
Kuno suddenly found himself back in his own body, his head spinning. He looked over at Akane to see that she looked a bit dazed. "Akane," he said, his voice trembling, "how are you?"
Akane looked at him, her eyes wide and frightened. "What was that?"
Ryoga peered at the two. "What was what? I didn't feel anything."
"It was Kamiko." He wasn't exactly sure why Kamiko had been so upset over what he was thinking, but he wasn't about to mention he had been poking around in Akane's mind.
"Oh." Akane knew there was something she was missing, some piece of information she just wasn't seeing. She sighed heavily. "Sempai, I want to go home."
"Where are they?"
"I'm not sure. After they fashioned their escape..."
"Interesting choice of words, Benares."
Benares' red eyes almost showed fear. "After their escape, there was no sign of them."
"I have to wonder if you're growing weak. What about the airport?"
Airport? What had happened at the airport that the most powerful ever to have existed could have missed? "The airport... I don't..."
"That worthless wench is what happened! She squandered the perfect opportunity!"
Benares scowled. The woman had been one he had picked personally, and for her to be a failure... And how had he not noticed? "I don't know what happened. I was unaware."
"I know you were! If you had been searching, that little girl would be in my possession as we speak, along with the statue."
"I misjudged the girl. I did not think she..."
"I know you did not think. And now they are gone. What do you intend to do about it?"
"The sanjiyan will have to use her power again. It is simply a matter of waiting until she shows herself."
"Is that so? Wait until she shows herself?" Silence stretched in the darkness. "Wait until the others find her?" The hateful gaze turned away from the image of Akane and turned to Benares. "Go and find her."
"What about her wu?"
"What about him? He is an obstacle. Remove him. If you think you can."
Benares held back his snarl. "She will be found." The sorceror disappeared in a flash of blue light.
"So what is the statue supposed to do?" Ryoga was holding the covered lump, looking at Akane.
"Well, I don't know. We don't know exactly how it works. But they seemed really anxious to have it back."
"Along with you..." Ryoga had been stricken with the knowledge that Akane had been in terrible danger and he hadn't been able to do anything to help her.
Akane nodded. What was the big deal about the statue that the woman and Alexander had been so desperate to keep it? And what was its connection with Kamiko? If there was any...
Kuno was keeping silent. Akane would be able to provide the Hibiki boy with as much information as he needed to know. Any more would just upset him. While the two had been talking, Kuno tried concentrating on the thread, but it had mysteriously disappeared.
There was still the pressure of something around his waist, but the silvery line was gone. After she had broken contact, there had been nothing more from Kamiko. That concerned him. He concentrated harder, bringing beads of sweat to his forehead, and still there was nothing.
There was one more thing he could try. How successful that would be, he couldn't say, but he didn't see how trying would hurt. This time, Kuno concentrated on Akane, and beyond Akane, the girl he had seen in his dream. The sensation was strange, like trying to push through a wall of petroleum jelly. It was firm, but somewhat yielding and almost... sticky.
Kuno managed to force his way through the wall and felt scarily disconnected from his body. He was in Akane's mind; the first step was complete. The second would be more difficult. Akane's thoughts buffeted him, images of her family, Ryoga and himself, and... Ranma...
For the barest second, Kuno saw her off in the distance. It was what he was looking for. Mentally swimming, he made his way to where he thought he had seen her. Though she was not there, there was a glowing circle, like a hole, or a portal. 'Kamiko?'
She would not answer him. To reach her he would have to enter the unknown, a prospect he did not look forward to. Or did he? If this portal was what he thought it was, everything that made Kamiko who she was could be found through the mysterious construct.
Without a second thought, Kuno passed through the portal and shuddered at the sensation. It was like walking through an intense coldspot, except it was his mind and not his body. He shuddered again. Like stepping past a curtain, he found himself in a completely different place, a serene, softly lit expanse with nothing in sight.
Kuno looked around, noticing he was in his body again, or at least a representation of his body. Looking behind him, where he thought the portal should be, there was nothing. "Kamiko?" His voice sounded very strange in the emptiness.
"Have you come to torture me?" Kamiko's voice came from all around him.
Kuno took a step back. "I just wanted to..."
"Leave." Her tone made it very clear that she was unhappy.
"But what did I do?"
Her only response was silence. There was no sound; even his breathing was silent. Kuno was suddenly very uncomfortable.
The air rippled in front of him and Kamiko appeared. She was wearing her ragged traveling clothes and looked quite upset. "When will you understand?"
"Understand what?"
"You affect me in ways you can't understand. Your thoughts of... what you attempted six years ago..." She was angrier than she had ever been and he still didn't understand. "You can't imagine the pain."
Kuno closed his eyes. "Yes," he said quietly, "I can."
The world around them began to shift and change until they were standing in the middle of a hall in the Kuno home. They watched as his 11 year old self turned a corner and walked toward them.
