Subject: [FF][R1/2-EYES] Twisted Destiny 7
From: Lara Bartram
Date: 5/23/1997, 10:47 AM
To: fanfic@fanfic.com (FFML), shonnie@zeus.anet-chi.com, Thomas_Schauer@ita.doc.gov, con3@webtv.net, cgui@earthlink.net, SonGokhu@aol.com

	All previous parts available on my web page (URL at the bottom
of this message) or available through email.  C&C welcome.  I think
it's pretty much at this point (and part 6) where I start taking
serious liberties with 3x3 Eyes.  Sorry, I can't help it.  I need to
take this story someplace and only by making things the way I want
them can I do that.  Also, I never found all that much information
on the relationship between the sanjiyan and their wu, so a lot of
it is just out of my imagination...



			Twisted Destiny 7

{insert all disclaimers}


Akane opened her eyes to sun streaming through her window.  She 
stretched in her bed and tossed off her covers.  She swung her feet 
out of bed and put them right into her slippers.

She stood up and stretched again.  She just knew that it was going to 
be a good day.  She left her room, clearing the sleep from her eyes.  
Heading downstairs, she could hear Kasumi in the kitchen and yelling 
from outside.  The house was operating as normal.

"Morning, Dad," she said brightly, passing her father from the table.

"Good morning, Akane," he answered, not lifting his head from the 
paper.

Akane went into the kitchen.  "Morning, Kasumi."

Kasumi turned from doing the dishes and greeted Akane.  "Did you 
sleep well last night?"

"Yeah.  My headache just went away and I fell right asleep.  I didn't 
wake up until this morning."

"That's nice.  Would you like some breakfast?"

"Sure.  Where is everyone?"  There was still a lot of noise from 
outside,  but it wasn't Ranma's or his father's normal grunts.

"Nabiki is still in bed.  Father is reading the paper, Uncle Saotome 
went to Dr. Tofu's already, and Ranma and Tatewaki are outside."

"Oh, thanks.  I'm going to go change now."  Akane left the kitchen to 
head back upstairs.

In her room, she got out her white sundress and a sweater to protect 
against the chill.  Definitely a good day...

***

Akane stepped outside just in time to see Kuno get hit by one of 
Ranma's generic ki blasts and slam against the wall.  She growled 
good naturedly.  "Ranma..."

Ranma turned at the sound of her voice.  "Hi, Akane.  How ya feel 
this morning?"  Breathing - steady and regular.  Hair - unmussed.  
Sweat - none.  Kuno had given him a good fight.

"Great.  I've never felt better.  How are you?"  She clasped her 
hands behind her back and smiled at him.

Ranma's mind was headed toward neutral with the display of cuteness 
before him.  "F... fine.  My arm and leg are fine."

"That's good."  She looked past him.  "Morning, Kuno-sempai."  She 
walked back inside, whistling.  A very good day...

She sat down at the table and witnessed Nabiki coming down the 
stairs.  She looked worse for wear.  A lot worse.  "Morning, Nabiki," 
Akane said, smiling.  She just couldn't tone down her pleasant 
feelings, no matter how Nabiki tried to discourage her.

"Yeah, it is," Nabiki answered grumpily, then headed for the 
bathroom.

Akane shrugged, then started on her breakfast.

Ranma came in, followed closely by Kuno.  "Not bad.  But if I'd been 
actually fighting you, you woulda been toast," Ranma said, then 
smiled at Akane.

Akane could see a red mark on Ranma's arm, like he'd been pinched.

Kuno frowned.  "One of these days, Saotome, you shall find yourself 
on the receiving end of my sword," he growled.

"Let me know when and I'll be sure to be worried," Ranma said 
flippantly.  Ranma had found a verbal sparring partner that couldn't 
out-think him.

Kuno frowned at Ranma's weak attempt at humor.  It was so feeble 
there wasn't anything to say back.  He considered hitting Ranma in 
the back, but knew the pig-tailed boy (how strange that sounded in 
his mind) had the reflexes, and luck, of the gods.  He took a lazy 
swipe anyway, to keep up appearances.

As predicted, Ranma moved to the side, dodging the bokken but 
smacking into the table.  A glass of water perched precariously at 
the edge poured on him, now her.  He managed to hold back the 
cursing, but when he saw Akane's amused expression and the strange 
glint in Kuno's eye, he still managed to hold it back.  Barely.

"Get your yucks now, Akane," he/she growled.  "I'd like to see you 
livin' with this stupid curse."  He started to go to the kitchen.  
"Course, it'd probably make you more feminine," spilled out of his 
mouth.

He was never quite sure what hit him.

***

"It's a statue.  I think it's what you're looking for," Tofu said 
into the phone.

He held the phone away as Akane's shout reached him.  He hung up, 
preparing for another visit from the group.  He rubbed his temples.  
The shouting, the yelling, the mallets, the zombies...  He sighed.

***

"It's called the ningen, or statue of humanity.  It took a bit of 
work, but there were quite a few articles about it in the paper."  He 
revealed a thick stack of copies he had gotten at the library.

"There's plenty of information about it for the everyday person, but 
nothing like what you want to know.  I can tell you stories and 
legends, but again, nothing specific.  I'm afraid if you need 
anything else, you'll be on your own."  He pushed a piece of paper 
forward with a crappy black and white picture of a statue on it.

Akane leaned forward and stared.  She couldn't make out a whole lot 
from the picture, but could tell it was of considerable size and 
lacked artistic merit.  In other words, it was big and ugly.

"It belonged to an art collector in India who sold it about five 
years ago.  Apparently, some rich collector in Hong Kong lacked taste 
too and bought it."  Tofu pushed over a couple more copies.  "It was 
brought here as part of an exhibition and mysteriously disappeared, 
stolen from the museum."  He was silent after that.

Akane glanced at the copies, looking at he bad pictures, but not 
reading the words.  She pushed them aside, where Ranma and Kuno 
fought over them.

"And that's all you know?" Akane asked, feeling a little let down.

"I'm afraid so.  I'm fairly sure this is what you're looking for.  I 
found some vague stories talking about the ningen and the sanjiyan...  
It's hard to explain and doesn't really say a whole lot."  He looked 
at each of them.  "I suggest that if this is what you want, you talk 
to the previous owner."

This might be more than the kids could handle, but with the presence 
of a sanjiyan, he just couldn't say.  "Whatever you decide to do, I 
want to wish you good luck."

Akane smiled sadly.  She had been hoping for an easy solution to the 
whole thing, only to find it would not be so.  "Thank you, Dr. Tofu."  
How long would she have to live a half-life, always in danger?  Would 
she ever be able to return to her normal life and be fully human?  "I 
need to talk to my family."

She stood up and started to leave.

"Wait a sec, Akane," Ranma said, collecting all of Dr. Tofu's papers.  
He followed her.

Kuno made to follow them before the doctor stopped him.

"Tatewaki?  I think it's time for that physical."

Kuno cringed, but stayed behind.

***

"So what'd you do this time?" Ranma asked Kuno.  He was grinning like 
a piranha.

"Merely a test of my physical conditioning.  He declared me in 
perfect health," Kuno answered, denying Ranma any and all 
satisfaction.  "Now, may we proceed to my abode?  It is not a trip I 
am looking forward to, but it is necessary."

Ranma was wondering what it meant if the guy that lived there didn't 
want to go.  Obviously nothing good.  Sometimes Ranma wondered if 
Kuno and Kodachi were really the loving, yet twisted, siblings that 
they seemed to be.  Ranma could hear the hostility in Kuno's voice 
whenever he talked about hi sister.

***

With Kuno as their chaperone, and Akane's protector, the visit to the 
Kuno home was almost pleasant.  Almost.

"Brother dear, what are you doing with that wicked...  Ranma darling!  
You've come to visit me!"  She leaped towards Ranma, who deftly 
sidestepped.

"Sister, I demand you cease this behavior.  We have important 
business to attend to."  Kuno was looking at his sister crossly.

"Love comes before business, brother."  She turned to Ranma, ignoring 
Akane at the moment.  "Now, Ranma, my darling, let us retire to my 
room.  We can make the wedding plans."

Akane growled, an angry, feral noise.  If looks could kill, Kodachi 
would be experiencing more deaths than her brother.  Akane's aura
was beginning to flare, unnoticed by the others.  "Rrrranma..."  She 
sounded a bit like Tony the Tiger...

"Akane...  It's not my fault..."  He was trying o escape Kodachi and 
avoid Akane's wrath.

Kodachi glared at Akane.  "Akane Tendo!  You are not invited!  Now I 
insist that you... leave!"  She whipped out a hoop from nowhere and 
flung it at Akane.

Akane didn't have time to dodge out of the way of the incoming hoop 
before Kuno was in front of her.  "Sister!  I forbid i..."  There was 
a noncommittal gurgling noise coming from Kuno since the hoop had 
severed his parts needed for speech.

Everyone froze as Kuno's blood spilled all over the floor.

"Brother," Kodachi said in an amazed tone.  Had she just killed her 
brother?  That wasn't supposed to happen; it never happened before.

Slowly, Kuno's hand rose and gripped the hoop.  He yanked it free 
from his neck and dropped it to the floor.  He tried to speak again 
and blood fountained from his neck, dribbled from his mouth.

Akane turned away.  She couldn't see the actual injury, but the blood 
all over the floor was enough.  Ranma looked sickened, and Kodachi 
was horrified.

Kuno stood wavering a bit; they all expected him to fall over at any 
moment.  Instead, he stood, staring straight ahead.  He looked 
surprised, with the blood coursing down his chest and running don his 
chin.  He finally dropped his bokken.

Sasuke appeared at that moment, hearing all the commotion and 
deciding to investigate.  "Tatewa..."  Sasuke fainted at the sight.

***

Kuno told the story to a curious Kodachi and a confused Sasuke, 
saying that he wasn't sure when he would return.  Kodachi had 
immediately begun planning a way to get Ranma, since Akane was far 
too freakish for him.  In Kodachi's opinion of course.

Sasuke merely wondered if it meant he would have less laundry.  He 
didn't consider that he would be stuck with only Kodachi and her 
father...

"And so I must take my leave of you.  The goal we reach for is one of 
life and death.  My presence is required."

If he was going off to parts unknown with Akane...  Kodachi began 
grinning madly.  Again.

"Tatewaki-sama, how long will you be gone?" Sasuke asked.  'Please 
say a long time, please say a long time.'

"I can not say.  Most likely, it will be quite a time.  I do not plan 
on returning until Akane Tendo and I are both returned to normal.  We 
will travel extensively to parts unknown."

'Yes!'  Sasuke nodded sagely.  'Woo hoo!  Party ti...'  He looked at 
Kodachi, who was still grinning.

"Sasuke!  Fetch my sword so we may depart."

"Yes, Tatewaki-sama."  Sasuke disappeared into the depths of the 
house.

"Brother, what shall happen if you do not return?"  And take Akane 
Tendo with you she didn't bother adding.

"Then you must assume the worst, sister.  I will try to keep you 
abreast of the situation, but it may not be possible at all times."

"Don't worry, brother dear.  We won't worry a moment."  Kodachi 
smiled sweetly, breaking her grin for a moment.

Kuno looked at her critically as Sasuke returned with his sword.  
"I'm sure you won't.  Thank you, Sasuke."  He took his sword and 
stood.  Kodachi stood as well.

Kuno adjusted his clothes, which he had changed, and fixed his katana 
to his waist.  He bowed deeply to Kodachi.  "Goodbye, sister."  He 
looked at Sasuke.  "Goodbye, Sasuke.  Tell father where I've gone."  
And then he left.

"Goodbye, brother," Kodachi said quietly.

***

"Let us leave.  A long goodbye can be most distressful to one's 
heart."  He was just outside the gate, speaking to Akane and Ranma.

Neither one of them felt all that comfortable around Kodachi and had 
thought it best to let Kuno say his farewells in private.  Ranma 
especially disliked the way Kodachi looked at him, like he was a 
chicken and she was a fox.  And at the moment, he didn't like the way 
Akane was looking at him either.  He sighed; there was no way for him 
to win.

"Why don't we go back to the dojo?  I bet Nabiki can help us figure 
something out," Akane suggested.  "She could probably get us a good 
deal on..."  Akane was going to say plane tickets, but realized what 
that meant.  She didn't want to leave her friends, her family, her 
home, everything she knew.  She started to tear up again.

Ranma noticed but didn't comment.  "Right.  Let's go.  I bet Kasumi 
will have lunch ready."  The three headed down the street.

***

"We're back," Akane aid, walking into the house.

"Is lunch ready?" Ranma followed up.

Neither one received an answer.

"Yo, Pop!  Where are ya?" Ranma called, walking back to the kitchen.

"Kasumi?  Nabiki?  Dad?"  Akane headed up the stairs.

Kuno stood in the doorway, getting that weird feeling again.  He 
followed Ranma, his hand on his katana.  There was danger close by, 
he just didn't know where.

"Saotome," he said quietly, getting Ranma's attention.

Ranma stopped and looked back at him.  "What?"

"There is danger here."

Ranma had been getting the feeling too and nodded.  "Make sure 
Akane's OK.  I'll go check down here and in the dojo."  He was deadly 
serious and there was no time to bicker over who would check on her.

Kuno nodded his assent and headed back towards the stairs.

Ranma approached the kitchen as quietly as possible.  He could feel 
the danger, just like there was a bell ringing in his ear.  
Carefully, he poked his head through the kitchen door.  Everything 
was neat and clean and in its place.

He headed back down the hall, giving the bathroom a quick glance.  
Back in the living room, Kuno was coming back down the stairs.  Ranma 
looked at him.  "Where's Akane?"

"She was not there.  And neither was anyone else."  His voice was 
calm, but he had his sword drawn.  "I suggest we make haste to the 
back yard.  Her window was open."

"Oh no..."  Ranma ran out the side door, barely taking time to open 
it first.  He got to the corner of the house and was about to run to 
the back when he stopped.

Kuno stopped shortly behind him.  "What..."

Ranma held up his hand to quiet Kuno and looked towards the dojo.  No 
sound, no movement, but Ranma could guess what was waiting.  "What do 
you think they want?" he whispered.  "You're not dead so they 
haven't... killed her, even though they've had plenty of time."

He clenched his jaw.  He wanted to storm the dojo, get who, whatever 
it was in his hands and squeeze...  Anger, to him, was a powerful 
ally; one that could heighten his strength and reflexes, drove him to 
his goal...  But it could be a hindrance.  Sometimes stealth and 
subtlety were required, self-control and reservation worked better.

Kuno nodded and the two headed towards the dojo.  They tried to move 
around the direct view of the doorway; they were hoping not to give 
their presence away.

They stopped on either side of the doorway, their backs to the walls.  

"Don't hide, little ones.  Come in, join us," a voice called.  It was 
deep and breathy, definitely not human.  "Come in, come in."

Ranma and Kuno looked at each other, unsure of what to do.  Kuno 
peered around into the dojo.  He could see nothing.

"Yes, you.  Don't be afraid."

Kuno pulled his head back quickly.  He looked over at Ranma, who 
could only shrug.

"If you want to save your mistress, then you'll come in here.  Both 
of you."

Ranma growled and nodded at Kuno.  Kuno nodded back, but would
have gone in anyway, whether Ranma had or not.  The two stepped
out from their spots and entered the empty dojo.

That was why it looked empty.  When they stepped inside, they walked 
into someplace that was not the Tendo's.  They still walked on the 
dojo floor, but the sky was filled with swirling blue clouds and the 
landscape was... nonexistant.

The culprit was standing in front of them, rising over 15 feet into 
the air.  It's skin was a grayish-green color, covered with hideous 
wart-like growths.  It had two massive arms that ended in four wicked 
claws each.  Instead of legs, it had a mass of tentacles that it used 
to move itself around.

It's head was tiny in comparison to it's body.  It had one huge 
yellow eye and a gaping mouth filled with sharp teeth.  It appeared 
to be smiling at them.  "It is you two...  I thought it was."

"Where's Akane, you slimy freak?" Ranma yelled, ready to start
hitting something.

"You mean the sanjiyan?  She is safe with me.  You need not worry 
yet."  It chuckled.

"Reveal her or you shall find yourself in a dire situation."  Kuno 
gripped his sword tightly.  No hesitation this time...

"But it is you in the dire situation.  Dispense with the boastful 
words.  I know the sanjiyan is a weakness of you both.  Now you will 
give me what I want."

"No!  You give back Akane!"  Even if he wasn't immortal, Ranma was 
prepared to stop at nothing.

"You want to see the sanjiyan first?  I suppose it matters not; 
seeing her will only weaken you further."

To the creature's left, Akane slowly appeared.  She was standing, but 
slumped over.  Stuck to her forehead was a ward, preventing her from 
doing anything.

"Your sanjiyan is fine.  See?"  It grabbed one of Akane's arms and 
pulled her closer.  It lowered it's one eye at the two would-be 
heroes.  "And now you will give me what I want."

To either side of the two, the rest of the Tendos materialized, along 
with Genma.  Each of them sported tentacle growths like Nabiki had.  
Something from Soun headed towards Ranma's, which he knocked away.

Ranma could almost feel his blood boil as the creature gripped Akane 
tighter.  He grit his teeth, baring them, and his knuckles turned 
white as he clenched his fists.  Kuno was the opposite: calm, his 
face unreadable, his sword held comfortably at the ready.

"Saotome, take care that you do not do anything rash and injure 
Akane," Kuno said quietly.  "This is a battle on this cowardly 
beast's terms."

"Coward?  You dare call me a coward?"  The creature seemed to grow 
another five feet.  "We shall see if you still think of me as a coward 
when I tear you apart!"

-o-o-o-o-o-o-