Well, here goes the next Chapter of the series!  This is based
heavily on events and situations from the previous stories,
and the previous Chapters, most of which are finally available
on my web site.

As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated.
"Miyabi" and "Masao"  appear courtesy  of Kunoichi, whose
"Ranma Nibun no ichi" Lemon Series inspired my Ranma works.

All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.


Coutuva.



Mysteries of the Mind - Part 10
A Destiny Met
--------------------------------------------------------------------


        As they had arrived in China late in the day, Mu Lin had decreed
that they would wait until the next day to begin their 'mission'.  Kikyo
didn't mind all that much, as she was still fried from her early morning.
Shampoo had no objections either, and after running through a rather
unique Kata, she had caught a shower and was now parked in front of the
room's TV.  It turned out she was delighted to be able to watch TV in her
native language.
	Kikyo had curled up in a large chair in the back corner of the
room, and sat absently flipping a bullet through her fingers, lost in
thought.  Mu Lin meantime, had disappeared outside without a word, and
stood alone on the deck.
	After several minutes, Kikyo noticed her missing, and decided
to go and investigate.  Stepping out onto the deck, she found Mu Lin
standing at the rail, staring off into the sunset.
        Hesitant at first to interrupt what looked like some serious
thought, Kikyo slowly wandered up beside the Princess and stood
quietly.  The Princess, almost as if to note Kikyo's presence,
closed her eyes and sighed quietly.
        "This is a nice house..."  she began, glancing at Mu Lin.
        "It is a country dwelling belonging to a descendant of my
family... we are 'borrowing' it to prepare for that which comes
tomorrow." Mu Lin replied absently.  "We will leave no trace."  she
added, opening her eyes again.
	"It's a beautiful sunset, isn't it...?"  Kikyo ventured,
noticing an uncharacteristic softness in the Princess' features.
	"Indeed, my child.  The beauty of this event compares to no
other.  I have missed it."  Mu Lin replied, her voice tinged with
sadness.  "I would go to the balcony overlooking the gardens upon the
eve, and enjoy it's serenity with great pleasure.  It saddens me to
think of how few I was able to enjoy." she continued,  still watching
the receding sun.
	"Oh?  How old were you?"  Kikyo inquired, absently.
	"I lived but fifteen summers... not enough to say I had even
lived."  she answered, quietly.  "Long enough though to learn of the
treachery against my family... I assume so that I would be able to set
it right."  she continued, her face growing hard once again.  "Before
that act was committed, I was but a child... and my only concerns were
the other children that had been entrusted to my care.  They were all
orphans;  left when their families were killed in the wars."
	"That's why Hitomi dreamed about the kids then, I guess..."
Kikyo commented, thoughtfully.  "Do you know the 'Ballad of Mulan'?"
she abruptly asked, looking over at the Chinese girl expectantly.
	A thin, knowing smile spread across Mu Lin's face.  "My child...
I wrote the passage of which you speak.  It is the story of my Mother."
she stated, wistfully.
	"Your mother...?"
	"Yes... she died of the fever when I was very young, but my
father and grandfather told me of her.  I always wished to be the woman
she was... but it was not to be.  I wrote that passage to ensure she
would be remembered... I am flattered that you know of it."
	"It's told today... My mother told it to me."  Kikyo commented,
struck by the irony of the moment.  It was then that she noticed a
strange look on Mu Lin's face... one she knew well from someone else.
	"Mu Lin?  What...?" she began, but didn't get to finish as Mu
Lin wrapped an emotional hug around her.
	"Hold me, little one... these words have stirred memories that
bring great sadness to my heart."  Mu Lin sniffed, burying her face in
Kikyo's blouse.
	Kikyo was dumbstruck... breaking down in tears and asking to be
held was the last thing she would have ever expected from Mu Lin.  In
fact, Kikyo's first impulse was to push her away, but as she looked down
at the red-maned head and moist eyes, her heart began to melt.  The
Princess resembled Hitomi so much at that moment that Kikyo couldn't
find the will to deny her.

	

	"This is the one that does not rest..."  a shadowy figure
observed, regarding a bluish, glowing ball in the chamber before it.
"It is not at peace."  the figure continued, reaching a voluminous
sleeve toward the ball.
	After a moment, the figure turned to it's companion and sighed.
"It will not rest.  There is a part of it's former life that remains
unresolved... and it is of such consuming concern that it may never
rest."  the figure indicated, emotionlessly.
	"Shall I alert the Fates?"  a thin, creaky voice inquired from
the second, smaller figure.
	"It would be expedient.  Those with unresolved lives are never
at peace... but this chi could disturb the rest of countless others.
That cannot be allowed."
	"I will go.  If they are willing, do you give your assent?"
	"I do.  I sense within this chi a strong, righteous will.  It
will not go awry.  Mention also that it cannot be allowed to remain as
it is... they will do what is right."  the larger figure stressed,
turning and walking away slowly.



	As the sun slowly rose on a new day, Akane stretched her tired
muscles and told herself she had to get up.  Of late, greeting a new day
always saddened her, given that the first thing she always saw was the
empty space beside her.   Sighing, she knew Miyabi would be up soon,
and if she didn't have a breakfast ready, the child would make her own...
and she dreaded that thought, as it was apparent that she had inherited
her cooking skills from her mother.
	Throwing off her blankets, she rose from the bed slowly and went
to her dresser to select her outfit for the day.  Glancing at the mirror,
she grimaced at her hair.  Looking for a ribbon, she moved her head to
the side slightly, and caught a glance of something black slightly
above and behind her.  Looking again, she saw that there was nothing
there.  Turning to look behind her, she confirmed that there was no
black object.
	Shrugging, she finished tying back her hair and headed for
the bath.

	
	Kikyo wandered slowly from the bathroom, still rubbing sleep
from her eyes, until she heard what sounded like battle cries coming
from the deck.  Curious, she walked to the doors and pulled aside the
blinds, only to see Shampoo working out with her swords.  Immediately,
she found herself hypnotized by the Amazon's fluid, artistic movements
and catlike grace.
	As she watched, she noticed how every move seemed to flow into
another, with no wasted effort... and how the large, seemingly ungainly
swords flashed through the morning sun in perfectly choreographed harmony.
	Shampoo's arms, legs and hair were all in motion it seemed, each
lending their own stylish flair to what looked more like a dance than a
battle style.
	Kikyo also happened to notice that Shampoo wore a thin, greyish,
body-hugging workout suit, now damp in certain places from the Amazon's
exertion.  Making matters worse was the fact that as far as Kikyo could
tell, the Amazon wore no undergarments.
	Suddenly, it occurred to Kikyo that Shampoo was *kawaii*... and
about as sexy as it was possible to be while wielding razor-sharp swords.
She could see why Hitomi would have dated her.
	Kikyo continued to watch the 'stimulating' display before her
until Shampoo finally finished her sequences.  She then slid open the
door and stepped out into the warm sun.
	"Ohaiyo, Lin-san."  she greeted, cordially.
	"Ohiayo, Kikyo-san.  You had better watch that no one sees you
like that..."  Shampoo indicated with a smirk, pointing one of her swords
at Kikyo's fancy underwear.
	"Diajobu desu... I saw you out here practicing, and wanted to
ask you about breakfast.  There's no food in this house."
Kikyo deflected, already having received the answer to her real question.
	"Hai... I noticed that too.  Mu Lin said she would look after all,
so I was waiting for her to get up."  Shampoo replied, moving the swords
behind her back.  Kikyo erked when she brought her empty hands back into
view... and the easily metre-long swords were nowhere to be found.
	"Ano... where did..."  she began, only to be greeted with a
bemused grin from Shampoo.
	"You knew Ailen and have never seen someone use HammerSpace?"
Shampoo asked, raising an eyebrow.
	"No... what is that?"  the shocked Kikyo replied, regarding
Shampoo questioningly.
	"I don't really know how to say what it is in Japanese, but it
works like this."  she explained, reaching behind her back again and
producing a bonbori.  "I get things from there and can put them back,
too.  A few other people in Nerima can do it as well... especially Akane."
she added, displaying the club before Kikyo's wide eyes.  "It just...
works."  she continued, trading the bonbori for a sword.
	"Greetings of the day, little one... Amazon.  I had wondered what
became of you, only to find you out here."  Mu Lin stated, interrupting
Kikyo's next question.  "Is not the sun wonderful this day?"  she noted,
closing her eyes and enjoying the feeling of the warmth on her face.
"Come;  our meal awaits."  she beckoned, smiling.
	Kikyo and Shampoo simply looked at each other and shrugged, then
followed the redhead back into the unit.
	After breakfast, Kikyo sat at the small table stripping and
cleaning her array of weapons, while Shampoo looked on curiously.  Shampoo
was fascinated by Kikyo's ability to completely tear down a seemingly
complex gun, and then reassemble it almost without thought.  And despite
having several weapons apart at once, she instinctively knew what parts
went with which one.
	"Ano... You've been doing this for a while, it looks like."  the
Amazon commented, glancing at Kikyo's content face.
	"Hai... I have.  Almost as long as I've have been able to hold
one.  Just like you and your swords."  Kikyo indicated, smiling slightly.
	"I have trained since I was three years old.  Amazons are
warriors first.  Are your people warriors?"
	"No... We were never warriors.  I'm the only member that does
this."  Kikyo indicated, pointing to her weapons.
	"Why do you use them?  If you knew Martial Arts, you would not
need them."
	"Heh... I was never any good at that stuff.  I tried it, but I'm
not coordinated enough, I guess."  Kikyo replied, sheepishly.  "I tried
a friend's gun one time when I was a kid, and that was it... I was
hooked."  she confessed, smirking.  "It became my career for a while,
too."
	"Aiyah... strange career."  Shampoo commented, thoughtfully.
"Later, could you show me how to use those?  I've never tried."  she
asked a moment later, surprising Kikyo.
	"Sure... only I thought Martial Artists hated guns."
	"I would never use one... but I want to try it anyway."  Shampoo
stated, grinning cheekily.
	"Sure... I'd be delighted.  Hitomi liked this one... you
probably will too."  Kikyo grinned, holding up the .45.
	"Ailen didn't like guns at all... this Hitomi must really be
different."  Shampoo observed, casually.
	"True...but I like her."  Kikyo stated, her smile widening.
 	"The time is upon us."  Mu Lin announced, walking up to the
other two girls.  "We leave within moments."  she added, smiling
wickedly.
	"All set here."  Kikyo indicated, buttoning up her sleeve.
	"I am too."  Shampoo chimed, rising from her seat.
	"Very good.  I have located the person I seek... he is not
nearby, but this presents no difficulty.  I ask you both anew... there
will be great danger to you if you accompany me, as the man I seek is
a figure of dark repute.  He deals in death and deception, and I am
given to understand that he has ties to the World of the Dark.  Do
you both still wish to proceed?"
	"Hai.  I do."  Shampoo nodded, positively.
	"Me, too.  I want to get this over with."  Kikyo agreed, sliding
her empty case under the table.  "What are we waiting for?"  she added,
grinning wryly.
	"Nothing."  Mu Lin replied, as the room around them disappeared
into blackness.


	Akane watched Masao play happily on the floor beside the low
table as she dusted around the room.  Absently, she wondered what she
would tell him when he asked the inevitable question.
	Working her way through the room, she eventually came to the
hall closet, and noted that Miyabi had left it open again after digging
out her frock.  Shaking her head, she opened the door to check the
condition of the contents before closing it up, and caught sight of
the gi that Ranma had worn to visit Tofu the night of his "Time Travel".
She had seen it there a hundred times since that day, but for some
reason it caught her attention this time.
	Smiling a tiny smile, she lifted it from it's hook and gathered
it in her arms to take back to the bedroom.
	As she turned to head toward the stairs, she noticed a familiar
scent... the scent of her husband.  Stopping in her tracks, she lifted
the gi to her face and inhaled deeply, reveling in the smells.
	Ranma had shaved just before going out that night, and the scent
of his aftershave was still in the fabric.  Akane thanked herself for
forgetting to wash it.
	A few minutes later, she hung the gi in her bedroom closet,
fussing with the sleeves to make it look just right.  Pausing for a
second to just look at it, she was again compelled to smile briefly.
	Closing the door, she was about to walk away when a shiver ran
down her back, causing her to shudder from head to toe.  Looking quickly
about the room, and seeing nothing unusual, she was about to dismiss
it when she had a sudden realization.
	"Masao!" she blurted, and ran from the room.


	Sitting at her desk with her hands clasped together in front of
her, Miyabi absently watched the teacher doodle on the blackboard.  She
was never impressed with trying to learn Kanji anyway, preferring to be
on the playground  sparring.
	Sighing, she stole a quick glance to her side, thinking she saw
something move.  When all she saw was an empty desk, she reverted her
gaze forward, not wanting to get the chalk thrown at her again.  The
last time that had happened, she caught it before it hit her, only to
end up in the hallway for her audacity.
	Suddenly, her head cocked to the side as if she was listening
to something, and then a bright smile parted her lips.  Soon after, the
sparkle that once lit up her eyes returned with a vengeance.
	Immediately, her hand shot up, and she asked for permission to
go to the bathroom.  Once it was granted, she shot from the room and
screeched to a halt just outside the door.
	Standing in the hallway with a radiant grin on her face, she
turned around and glomped what seemed like thin air.
	"Papa!!"  she squealed, hanging on for dear life.
	"Hai!  It's me!  How's my little tsunami?"  Ranma asked her,
trying to kneel down.
	"Oh, Papa... I missed you!  Why did you go away for so long?"
she asked, sounding a bit perturbed despite her smile.  "Okaasan was
worried about you."  she added, somewhat more quietly.
	"It's a long story, Mi-chan... let's go home and tell okassan
too, ne?"  he suggested, finally prying himself from the glomp and
kneeling to look her in the eye.
	"Hai, Papa... I'm so happy to see you!"  she replied, glomping
him around the neck.
	"Mi-chan, you have no *idea* how happy I am to see you again."
Ranma replied, hugging his daughter tightly.  With her head buried in
his shoulder, she didn't see the single tear run down his cheek.


	Akane held Masao in her lap as she sat in the old wooden rocker,
idly listening to it's well-aged joints creak as she rocked.  She was
still wondering what had caused the feeling she had, as when she came
racing back into the room, Masao was playing happily where she had left
him, and she actually startled him by her arrival.
        Just then, she heard what she swore was Miyabi's voice outside,
and setting Masao on the floor, rose from her seat to investigate.  She
knew Miyabi still had several hours of school left... unless she had
been in another fight.  Of late, the little girl had been beating the
tar out of anyone who said anything disparaging about her Dad's
disappearance.
        Just as she was starting down the hall, Masao abruptly giggled.
        "Tousan!  Tousan!"  he giggled excitedly, clapping his
pudgy little hands.  Akane stopped in her tracks and stared at the child,
who sat smiling happily, and looking toward the door.  Shaking her head
and telling herself she didn't hear what she thought she did, she
turned and finally headed toward the entry.
	Arriving at the door, Akane was just about to open it when it
slid aside.  Before her, grinning happily and holding Miyabi's hand
stood her husband, looking very much alive... and very male.
        Akane gasped aloud, then did the only thing she could when the
sight sank in.  With a silly giggle, she fainted.



	The three women found themselves standing in the shadow of a
huge old house that sat by itself atop a large hill.  From their
vantage, they could see that the structure was heavilly guarded and
well secured against intruders.
        "Aiyah... It looks like they are prepared for war!"  Shampoo
noted, shaking her head at the startling display of firepower before
them.
        "Hai... the outer ring has Uzi's and dogs, and the inner ring
has assault rifles; Full auto, no doubt, and it looks like they have
custom clips, too.  There's a 20MM Anti-Tank in that shed over there,
and the 'doormen' have 9 mils and what looks like Uzi's too.  Like
walking into a swiss-cheese factory."  Kikyo commented, squinting to
see the layout.
	"And that's not all... see that box on the northeast corner
of the house?  That's a special kind of radar... it's used to track
a target that's moving, which probably means there's a mini-gun
connected to it."  Kikyo added, plaintively.
	"Aiyah... I'm glad you're on our side..."  Shampoo indicated,
wide-eyed.  "You can see all of that from here?"
	"Just have to know what to look for, Lin-san."  Kikyo winked,
not moving her gaze.
	"I warned you of the dangers present, my friends... This
will be your last opportunity to reconsider participating in this
act."
	"Are you serious?  This is the good stuff!"  Kikyo smirked,
pulling out a machine-pistol and snapping open the collapsible stock.
"Let's go play."  she added, yanking back the cocking lever with a
definitive clack.
	"Like I said..."  Shampoo bigsweated, staring at the Japanese
woman.  Sighing, she reached behind her back and produced her swords.
"I am also ready."
        "Amazon... Little one... It begins."  Mu Lin stated, and the
air again went black.  When it cleared, the trio stood in a hallway
inside the house.
	Kikyo immediately scanned the area, and suddenly shouted at
Shampoo, who stood directly in front of her.  "Down, Amazon!"  she
yelled, and as soon as Shampoo dropped, she got off two rounds, one
into a security camera, and the other into a very shocked guard.
"Okay, Mu Lin!  We have to move!  Where to?"
	"Our quarry lies ahead... and up the stairs."  the Princess
indicated, starting to head away.
	"Okay, let's go.. this place is gonna get hot real fast!"
Kikyo urged, helping Shampoo to her feet and into a run.
	As they raced down the hall, a guard made the unfortunate
mistake of sticking his head out of a room as Shampoo ran by... he
didn't have it long enough to see what hit him.  Kikyo dropped to the
floor and took out several more that appeared from an adjoining
hallway, while the Princess reached the end of the hall and searched
for the stairs.
	"They lie this way..."  Mu Lin indicated, bolting off toward
them.  As Kikyo and Shampoo cleared the corner, Kikyo flattened against
the wall and emptied a clip into the gang of guards that was following
them up the hall.  As their return fire peppered the walls and floor
around her, she yanked the empty clip out, flipped it over so that the
full one taped to it was lined up, jammed it back in and mowed down
the rest of them.  Smirking, she took off to catch up to the other two.
	Rounding the next corner and heading toward the stairs, she was
almost tripped by the body rolling down the staircase toward her.
Looking up, she saw a grinning Shampoo brandishing her bonbori, taking
down two more guards with ease.  Kikyo had to smile at the Amazon's
moves, as despite the cramped quarters she still moved with incredible
grace and agility.
	As she watched, she flipped the gun in her hand upside-down
and fired a short burst behind herself, the exclamation of pain from
the same area telling her she hit her mark.
	Smirking again, she took the stairs two at a time, hopping over
the remains of Shampoo's opponents.  Catching up to the Amazon at the
top, the two women raced after Mu Lin, who had encountered more
resistance ahead of them.
	Just as they arrived, Mu Lin unleashed a blast of Chi energy
that plowed into the advancing men like a tidal wave, sweeping them
before it and blowing them through the wall.
	Winking at her companions, she waved them onward toward a large
door at the end of the last hall.  As they approached it, Kikyo checked
the clip in her pistol, and noting it was almost done, put it away and
pulled out her .45, slamming the slide back.  As they got closer to the
door, Kikyo spotted a camera above it, and took it out with one shot.
	"They already know we're here, but let's keep 'em guessing about
what we're doing."  she commented, answering Shampoo's questioning gaze.
	"Our quarry awaits within... I will face him alone.  You may
engage any others, but the owner of the house... the keeper of the
writings that will clear my family's name is mine alone."  Mu Lin
instructed, holding her hands bfore her a few inches apart.
	As the other two watched, a yellowish glow appeared between
Mu Lin's palms, which she then lined up with the massive handles of
the doors.  Seperating her hands, the glow seemed to attach itself to
the handles, at which time Mu Lin stepped back and motioned her
companions to do the same.
	A few seconds later, the doors flew open, revealing a long,
darkened room.  With no hesitation, Mu Lin stepped forward, only to
stop short in her tracks.
        "I should have expected as much... there is a barrier."  she
indicated disgustedly.
        "Barrier?  Where?"  Kikyo asked, glancing around quickly.
        "It is a barrier against those of my World, child... you may
pass though unmolested, but it will not allow my passing."
        "Uh-oh... does this mean were sitting ducks?"
        "Hardly, my child.  This barrier presents no opposition to
me... merely an inconvenience."  Mu Lin replied, smiling confidently.
"Stand aside and well back."  she warned, setting her feet in a
familiar stance.
        "Oh, shit...!"  Kikyo blurted, and grabbing a surprised Shampoo's
arm, ran down the hall to the nearest room, dragging the hapless
Amazon behind her.
        Taking several deep breaths, Mu Lin then raised her arm and
began to trace out the image of the dragon's head.  Concentrating all
of her thoughts on the barrier, she encircled the image with her hands
and shouted the casting phrase with emphasis.
        "Dragon Fire!"  she yelled, upon which a powerful blast of energy
exploded from her hands, obliterating the barrier in a deafening blast
of light and color.
        Relaxing her stance, Mu Lin looked back at the dumbfounded women
and smiled.  "The way is clear."  she announced, then entered the passage
and strode purposefully up the center of the room.
	Kikyo and Shampoo followed, splitting to each side to watch
for ambushes.
	At the far end of the room, a large desk was backlit by a
wall full of windows, and behind the desk, a solitary figure sat
patiently.  As Mu Lin approached, the figure sat back in his seat
and sighed.
	"So you have come at last.  I didn't think it would take
long." an aged male voice stated in Chinese.
	"I know you were aware of my presence... and my purpose.
I had hoped such knowledge would convince you to surrender that which I
seek willingly."  Mu Lin replied, levelly.
        Kikyo meantime, moved in behind Shampoo, her face perplexed.
"What are they saying?"  she asked, only to be shushed by the Amazon.
	"He said he knew she was coming... and she's not surprised.
I wonder what else she hasn't told us...?" Shampoo indicated, glancing
back at Kikyo.
	"I will not give you anything willingly, Spirit.  I have no
interest in helping you."  the old man snarled bitterly as he stepped
from behind the desk.
	Mu Lin's eyes narrowed as she regarded the old man.  "I care
not for your preferences, human... the writings you possess hold the
key to my family's exoneration... I will have them if it costs you
your life.  And I promise you... If I must take them by
force, then your soul will be condemned to the hell it deserves."
she continued, her voice indicating her anger.
	"And why should I care about your family?  Your predecessors
sought to obliterate mine... I'm all that remains, thanks to your
bloodthirsty father."  The old man croaked in reply, not impressed by
Mu Lin's threats.
	"Enough!"  Mu Lin shrieked, unleashing a bolt of energy
directly at the old man, who deflected it with a wave of his hand.
"You will surrender to me the evidence... and I may let you live."
she ordered, seemingly not surprised by the actions of her opponent.
	Kikyo and Shampoo looked on from their vantage, unsure of what
to do.  Kikyo looked at Shampoo for some hint, but Shampoo could only
shrug, remembering Mu Lin's words from earlier.
	"You do not intimidate me, Spirit... as long as I hold that
which you seek, the oppressors of my ancestors suffer the fate they
deserve.  I will not be the cause of their release.  I would rather
die!"  the old man replied to Mu Lin's renewed threat, his grey eyes
flashing.
	"Human, your wish is about to be granted."  Mu Lin responded,
voice even and edged with what sounded like satisfaction.  Abruptly,
she fired another burst at the old man, who again deftly deflected it,
only this time she fired a second, different burst that caught him
looking.  The bolt struck him in the side, staggering him back.  As
he reacted, he called out a Chinese name, and from somwhere in the
shadows, a burst of energy erupted, narrowly missing Mu Lin.
	"Hah... I expected as much, human.  You men can never fight
your own battles."  Mu Lin snarled, firing a burst in the direction of
the one that almost hit her.
	From the darkness came a shriek followed by a flying body
somersaulting in between Mu Lin and the old man.  As the new combattant
entered, it unleashed a fistful of Shuriken, which Mu Lin waved
off effortlessly.
	"Is this your support, human?  I am not impressed."  Mu Lin
smirked, warming up another Chi blast in her palm.
	"I am not here to fight you, Spirit..."  a decidedly nasty
female voice indictated.  "I'm here to convince you."  she continued,
abruptly leaping into the air toward Kikyo and Shampoo.
	Mu Lin released the Chi blast, but too late to hit the
intended target.  She was about to warm up another attempt when the
woman touched down and attacked the others.  Shampoo leapt toward her,
but the woman dodged the mighty sword swing, heading straight for Kikyo.
	Kikyo brought up her .45, but the attacker kicked it from her
hand and pounced on her, wrapping her in a strangle hold with a dagger
poised at her throat.
	"You see?  I don't have to fight to win, do I?"  she cackled,
pulling the knife against Kikyo's windpipe.
	Shampoo growled at her and took a step forward, her large eyes
seething with rage.
	"Hold, Amazon.  This wench is not honorable... she is a hired
assassin."  Mu Lin indicated, levelly.  "A base deception by one equally
as honorless."
	"Honor doesn't matter when you hold all the cards, Spirit.  And
now, either you leave, or your friend here dies no matter what else
happens.  You see, I know all about your pact... and I know you have
no choice but to honor it.  My contacts with the Spirit World are as
strong as yours."  the old man stated, grinning confidently.
	"I should have expected such from one of your lineage... your
kind knows no other way to win."  Mu Lin responded, angrily.
	"Mu Lin... No!"  Kikyo gasped, struggling against her captor's
grip.
	"I have sworn that no harm shall come to you, little one... I
cannot break that promise."  Mu Lin replied, lowering her eyes.
	"Screw that!"  Kikyo shouted, winking at Shampoo.  Shampoo
nodded imperceptibly, then launched a bonbori at the assassin.  In the
split-second that it took the woman to react, Kikyo shook her arm,
releasing a .25 calibre semi-automatic pistol attached to a slide.
The weapon slid into her hand, ready to fire.  Jerking her arm down,
she fired three shots into the assassin's foot, making her scream
and release her hold.
	Unfortunately for Kikyo, as the assassin moved, the dagger
raked along the side of her neck, opening a large gash.  Grabbing
at her throat, Kikyo slumped to the floor bleeding heaviliy.
	Mu Lin meantime, turned and fired a powerful chi blast
point-blank at the old man, slamming him up against the wall.  She
watched with satisfaction as his unconscious from crumpled to the
floor.
	Shampoo had followed her first bonbori with a second,
ricocheting it off of the assassin's head.  The woman ended up
sprawled across the floor, completely out cold.  Then, having seen
Kikyo drop after her injury, Shampoo leapt to her friend's side.
	"Kikyo-san!  Are you still awake?"  she asked, voice cracking
in fear as she spotted the large wound.
        "Hai... feel very cold, though..."  Kikyo whispered, trying
to smile slightly.   "Did you get her?"  she asked, raising a bloodied
hand to the Amazon's shoulder.
	"Thanks to your crazy move, I did."  Shampoo replied, trying
to stop the heavy bleeding.
	"Good... I thought you might."  Kikyo stated, then her eyes
abruptly went wide.
	"Lin-san!  Down!"  she shouted, bringing her gun up and
pointing it at Shampoo's head.  Shampoo erked and dropped, just as
Kikyo emptied the small gun's clip into the chest of the knife-
brandishing assassin.
        As Kikyo's arm dropped, the assassin fell backward heavily,
and Shampoo carefully raised her head.  Glancing at the body behind her,
she smirked.
	"I don't think she'll get up this time."  she indicated, winking
at Kikyo who could only smile weakly.
	"My child... you are injured."  Mu Lin observed, kneeling beside
the Japanese woman worriedly.
	"Big scratch... that's all..."  Kikyo whispered, winking.
	"You are truly brave, little one.  You would sacrifice all to
aid others... few would behave so unselfishly."  the Princess stated,
running her fingers through Kikyo's now matted hair.  "It is no
surprise that the one known as Hitomi loves you as she does...
and to that end, I shall ensure that you are able to receive that
love."  she continued, smiling gently.
	Abruptly, Shampoo gasped as she looked back at Kikyo's now
ashen face.  "Kikyo-san...?"  she began, but the words choked in her
throat.
        "So... cold..."  Kikyo breathed, her eyes closing as her
head rolled to the side.


	Akane awoke to find a blinking Miyabi looking down at her,
and a damp cloth on her forehead.
	"She's awake, otousan!" the little girl called happily, helping
her Mom to a sitting pose.
	"O..otousan?"  Akane echoed, stunned to hear that word from
Miyabi too.
	"Hai.  Otousan.  You know, the guy you married?"  A very
familiar voice stated, edged with mock sarcasm.
	"R.. RANMA?!?"  Akane blurted, jumping back in shock as she
caught sight of him.  "But.. I.. I thought..."  she continued, her voice
failing her.
	"Akane-chan... it's... a long story."


	Seemingly unconcerned by Kikyo's loss of consciousness, the
Princess calmly called forth a reddish-tinted glow that sat in her
upturned palm.
        Mu Lin then reached over and turned Kikyo's head back toward
herself, and moved her palm over the large, gushing wound.
	As Shampoo watched in disbelief, the wound began to close
slowly, the blood almost seeming to run back into it.
	After several eternally long minutes, the wound was completely
closed, and Mu Lin then moved her glowing hand over Kikyo's chest.
A second later, Kikyo's chest suddenly heaved, drawing in a huge breath.
	"You live, my child.  Wait a few moments for your body to recover
from the shock, and you will be as new."  Mu Lin stated, happily.  "In
the interim, I have some unfinished business to attend."  she continued,
nodding at Shampoo.
	Striding back toward the crumpled body of the old man, Mu Lin
reached down and touched his head, then closed her eyes for a few
moments.
	As smile parted her face as she stood back up, then walked
toward a large picture on the wall.  With a sweep of her arm, the
picture flew off the wall, revealing a large safe door in the wall
itself.
	Smirking, Mu Lin pointed a finger at it and sent a burst of
energy through the large lock mechanism, disintegrating it in a
heartbeat.  The door then swung open, revealing a large glass case,
several bundles of papers, safe boxes and other items.
	Mu Lin walked up and removed the glass case, hugging it to
her bosom.
	"At last, the proof of my family's innocence.  On these
documents is the plan for the assassination of the Khan, and the
plot to fix the blame upon my uncle.  Once this is presented to
those that chronicle history, my family's name shall be cleared, and
the War will be averted.  This is truly a joyous day."  Mu Lin
exclaimed, turning to face Shampoo and the groggy Kikyo with tears
in her eyes.
	"Does this mean... it's over?"  Kikyo croaked, still shaking
off the effects of her trauma.
        "Almost, little one.  Here, one task remains."  Mu Lin
indicated, walking the case over to Shampoo.
        "Take this... I must address this task before we may
depart."
	Turning, Mu Lin walked back toward the old man, stopping a
few meters from where he lay.  Raising her arm, she opened her hand,
then closed it again, encasing the man in a field of energy.  As she
began to raise him from the floor, he regained consciousness and
snarled at his confinement.
	"Human... I have that which I came seeking.  I will give you
one chance to save your miserable life.  Speak to those who have
written of our history, and confess your family's wrongs."  Mu Lin
commanded, eyes narrowing as she glared at the struggling man.
	"Never!  I would rather die than see your murderous family
released.  They deserve their fate!"  he spat, glaring right back at
Mu Lin.
	"So be it.  You will die a traitor's death, as is fitting
for one of your ilk."  Mu Lin growled, her eyes flaring.  "You
speak of my family's wrongs... yet it was yours that slaughtered
entire villages of innocents to make good their escape from the
justice that pursued them.  It was your family that commanded the
soldiers that took me from my home and cost me my mortal life.
And it was your family that drove the country to ruin in
the wake of the wars... You have no redemption, human!"  Mu Lin
continued, her voice rising with her anger.  "Yes, my family
did indeed pursue yours... but in order to force them to confess
their conspiracy.  In the end, your family won out, as their
treachery succeeded and destroyed our name.  Because of this, it is
my destiny that I make you pay for your family's evil with your
life... and your eternal soul.  Prepare to meet your fate, mortal...
and beg forgiveness from whatever God will listen!"  Mu Lin shouted,
setting herself.
	Raising her arm, she traced out the image of the Dragon's
Head once more.  Kikyo gasped quietly as she realized that the
image was larger than the one Mu Lin had used to blow up the barrier.
        Bracing herself for the blast, Mu Lin encircled the image with
her hands.
	"I give you one last chance, human... confession or death."
Mu Lin stated, regarding the man angrily through the image.
        "I've already told you, wench... never!"  he snapped, his
voice now wavering with fear.  Again, he struggled against his
invisible bonds, albeit uselessly.
	"Then I shall indeed grant you your wish."  Mu Lin replied,
an evil grin parting her lips.
	"Grandpa!"  a female voice shrieked from the far end of the
room.
	The old man's face dropped in shock.  "Xia!  Leave here
immediately!  It's too dangerous!"  he shouted, but the young girl
paid him no heed.
        Mu Lin snatched the image from the air, and immediately
dissapated it, watching bemusedly as the teary-eyed girl ran up and
hugged the old man.
	"Last of your line, human?  It would appear that you forgot
someone..."  Mu Lin observed, wryly.
	"Leave her alone!  This is not her fight!"  The man demanded,
struggling harder against his bonds.
	"Grandpa... what do you mean?"  the girl asked, regarding Mu
Lin fearfully.
	"He means he has refused to set right a great wrong, child...
although you may be able to help convince him."  Mu Lin indicated
holding out her hand and calling up a ball of energy, then rolling it
about her fingers.
	The old man's eyes widened in panic.  "No!  You can't!"
He shouted, picking up on Mu Lin's hint.
	"I ask you again human... you know the question."
        "No!  I refuse!"  the man responded, glaring back at Mu Lin.
        "So be it.  Child, be advised that your grandfather's actions
have determined your fate.  It is with the greatest of sorrows that I
do what I must."  Mu Lin stated, voice gentle and face remorseful.  "An
innocent such as yourself would normally join the side of Light..."
she continued, walking up and kneeling before the frightened girl.
"But the actions of your grandfather force me to send you to the
Dark.  He knows of this place... and knows what it means to join it."
she added, rising to her feet.  "Please accept my regrets, Child."
she concluded, suddenly flicking the ball of light at the girl.
        As it struck her, she screamed then fell back against
the old man's legs, coming to rest in a heap at his feet.
        "No... Xia... What have you done to her...?"   the old
man gasped, staring down at the child's body.
        "It is as I said... she joins the Dark."  Mu Lin replied,
evenly.  "And it is you who have condemned her so.  Prepare to
join her, and perhaps you can bargain for her soul."
        "Xia... My princess..."  the old man breathed, tears forming
in his aged eyes.  "You... killed her."  he added, his voice rising in
anger.
        "No, human... you did.  By refusing to set right the course of
history, you sealed her fate long ago.  I simply sent her to her
preordained destiny... and you know this to be true."
        The old man continued to glare at Mu Lin for several long,
silent seconds.  Abruptly, his face dropped and his head lowered slowly.
        "Spirit... if I... confess, can you... bring her back?  I don't
give a damn about my life... I'm old.  But she..."  he began, starting
to sob.
        "Human... It is my wish to see no innocent ever harmed.  I
shall grant your request."
        "All right... you win. I will speak out.  Not because I
accept any responsibility, but for the sake of the girl."  he stated,
summoning his remaining indignance.
	"Perhaps there is some redemption within you yet..."  Mu Lin
observed, smiling half-heartedly.  "Have I your word then?"  she asked,
regarding the man levelly.
	"You have it, curse you."  he replied, and groaned as the
energy that held him faded away.
        "Very good, human.  Wake the girl, and we will depart now for
the place of the historians... before you change your mind."
        "What?!?  You mean she's...?"  the old man gasped, scooping the
child in his arms.
        "Yes... she simply sleeps.  I have not harmed her."  Mu Lin
replied, winking.
	A short while later, a sensation was caused at an impromtu
press conference, held at a prestigious Chinese University.  An old man,
a woman dressed as an ancient Chinese Princess, an Amazon and a
Japanese woman revealed a document that would change the modern view
of Ancient China's politics.
	The documents, later proven to be genuine, implicated an
entirely different family in the slaying of a Khan, which in turn
explained several mysteries... the University staff were thrilled to
have such evidence delivered to them.
	Kikyo and Shampoo waited patiently for Mu Lin to complete her
presentation, each wearing wide grins of satisfaction.
	"Well, she did it..."  Kikyo observed happily, leaning toward
Shampoo so she would be heard over the applause.
	"She did... and we helped.  Perhaps this honor will allow me
back to my homeland."
	"I think so... after it hits the papers, your people will know
how you helped set history right... that should be worth something."
Kikyo indicated, smiling.
	"I can hope."  Shampoo replied with a small smile.
	"You'll do fine." Kikyo assured, hugging the suprisingly
receptive Amazon.
	Just then, Mu Lin stepped down from the podium, also smiling
with great satisfaction.  Walking up to the two women, she stretched out
her arms and hugged them both.
	"Your contribution to righting this great wrong and preventing
a war in the Spirit World will not be forgotten.  Both of you are
assured a place of station within it."  she announced proudly.  "I am
honored to have had you both as compatriots."  she added, stepping back
and bowing deeply.
	"Arigato, Mu Lin... I'm just glad it's finally over."  Kikyo
commented, smiling as Shampoo nodded her agreement.
	"No, little one... it is not quite over.  I have a debt to
repay, and the process is already underway."  Mu Lin stated, face
becoming serious.
	"Okay.. hold it, Princess."  Kikyo blurted, angrily.  "I'm
getting really tired of being told 'One task remains.' every damned
time we finish something.  You told me that when your destiny was
done, then I would get Hitomi back... and every time there seems to
be another reason to put it off.  How much longer is this game going
to go on?"  she continued, becoming increasingly upset.
	Mu Lin's face dropped as she took in Kikyo's outburst, then
closed her eyes and lowered her head.  "It is true that I have kept
from you the details of my quest.  It is only because I wished to keep
it's true seriousness and complexity from intimidating you that I have
done so."  she explained, quietly.
	"Sure... you can say that now... so, how many more 'not yets'
are there?"  Kikyo demanded, staring hard at Mu Lin.
	"Once my debt is entirely absolved, then Hitomi shall return,
and I will go to my final rest."
	"That doesn't tell me anything!  How long?  I want a time
frame, here!"  Kikyo pressed, snarling.  "And besides... didn't you say
that you already repaid your debt by giving Hitomi life in the first
place?"
	Mu Lin only smiled in response.  "That was but part of it.
Be patient my child... The rest awaits us in Japan."  she winked,
motioning the others toward the wings of the stage.
	"Japan...?"  Kikyo echoed, her face suddenly draining as she
stopped in her tracks.  "No... I... can't go to Japan... ever."  she
added, fearfully.

                 
        Akane sat staring straight ahead, eyes somewhat vacant.
Throughout Ranma's desperate attempt to explain himself, she had
simply sat quietly, eyes fixed, breathing steady, and not moving or
even trying to think.  The shock of seeing her husband, and then
being told by *him* that he was dead had almost short-circuited her
already tourtured mind.
        Finally, a few minutes of numb silence later, she turned and
looked at him questioningly.  "You're a... Spirit?"  she repeated, softly.
	"Hai, Akane-chan.  Like I told you, I died in that bus
crash... but my body was resurrected.  Only it's my female side
come to life.  It was all done to prevent a major war in the Spirit
World."  Ranma explained again, still unconvinced that the stunned
Akane actually understood.
	"Sugoi, Papa!  Does that mean you can fly and stuff?"
Miyabi chimed in excitedly.
	"It means just you, Masao and your Mom can see me, so you can't
tell anyone about me... they'll think you're Baka."  Ranma replied,
seriously.  Then, glancing quickly from side to side, he leaned
forward and whispered in the little girl's ear.  "Hai.  I can fly
too."  he stated, grinning.
	"Cool!"  Miyabi breathed, awestruck.
	"Ranma... if... if you're dead, why are you here?  Did you
come back to haunt us?"  Akane asked, wide eyed.
	Ranma stared back at her incredulously, then broke out
laughing.  "Baka ne... I came back because the Fates knew I would not
rest until I knew my family had closure.  They gave me this chance to
come back to tell you what happened."  he explained, shaking his head.
"In fact, unless I miss my guess, the "other me" should be here
soon... with company.  Part of this arrangement still has to be
wrapped up."
	"Ano... wrapped up?  What do you mean?"  Akane stammered,
afraid of what that could lead to.
	"You'll see..."  Ranma smiled assuringly, reaching to touch
Akane's shoulder.
	As soon as his hand touched her, her logic evaporated and she
lost what little self-control she had left.  Leaping to her feet, she
wrapped the startled Spirit in a passionate hug and immediately burst
into tears.
	"Ranma..." she sputtered between sobs,  "I missed you so
much... I thought you had left us... I thought you didn't love us
anymore... and I was going crazy!"  she babbled, hugging him even
tighter.
	"Akane-chan... I love you all so much I came back from the
other side to tell you so."  he responded softly, closing his ethereal
arms around her slim waist.  "And I always will."  he added, squeezing
his sobbing wife a little tighter.




======================================================================
END - Mysteries of the Mind - Part 10            A Fanfic By V. Coutu

Comments Welcomed, Flames Extinguished!
coutuva@vecdev.com

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Main Address: coutuva@vecdev.com
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