Author's note:  This is not the third episode.  This is a story in yet
another timeline.  The third episode is starting to move along, but it will
probably be a while before I get very far.  I'm hoping to make it my biggest
story yet (break the 40-page barrier I see to be suffering from).

First draft of third fanfic:  A Kind of Magic

"spoken Japanese"
<spoken Chinese>
*thoughts*
=============================
Prolog:

Cologne finished boxing the order and called Shampoo from the dining area.
Shampoo, humming a little tune to herself, walked to the back room.
"Shampoo deliver order?"

Cologne nodded, handing her the box.  "This order is to be delivered to a
Kuroneko.  She is renting a room at the Maison Negitaya."

"Be right back."  Shampoo happily took the box out the back door.

Cologne hopped back to the counter on her staff.  The Nekohanten was empty.
Business had not been too bad on average, but these quiet times seemed to
stretch on.  She could handle that.  Cologne was a patient woman.  She
perused her shelf of spices, salts, and potions, hoping that another plan to
wrestle Ranma from Akane would come to mind.

A bell rang.

It wasn't an idea, as Cologne had hoped.  It was the front door.

Cologne returned to the counter to greet the new customers.  She was only a
little disappointed to see only a young man walk across the dining area.  He
looked to be in his early thirties.  He was obviously a foreigner, possibly
American or English.  He wore blue jeans and a tee-shirt with a picture of a
black kitten on it.  Probably American.

The man walked straight to the counter, where Cologne was perched on her
staff.  <Hello, Khu Lon,>  he greeted in perfect Chinese.  <The years have
not been very kind to you.>

Cologne narrowed her eyes.  <Do I know you?>

The man casually smiled.  <Have you forgotten me already?>

Cologne merely stood, staring at the figure before her.

<How could you forget our little challenge on the log?  The tournament?>

Cologne's eyes went wide.  Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.

The man's smile faded.  He pretended to look hurt.  <Well, glad to know our
time together meant that much to you.>

A quiet gurgle escaped Cologne's throat.  Finally, she managed to utter a
word:  "David?"

David smiled again.  <I know it's been a while.  I was beginning to wonder
if your memory was failing you, old woman.>

Cologne was not used to being at a loss for words for such a long time.  She
quickly recovered.  <What are you doing in Nerima?>

David's smile disappeared.  <I wouldn't have bothered you if it wasn't
important.>

Cologne waved a hand at the otherwise empty restaurant.  <We have a bit of
time.>

David held Cologne's hands.  < I've come to warn you.  You and others close
to you are in mortal danger.>

Yet again, Cologne's eyes were wide.  Her mouth gaped open.  Her hands
trembled a bit, then a shiver went down her spine.

=============================
Chapter 1

"What a haul!  What a haul!"

Happosai, masked and carrying a large bag of underwear and bras, ran ahead
of the crowd of angry women.  He bounced off of a light pole and sprinted
down an alley.  The angry women quickly reached the alley, and then stopped.
The alley was a dead end, and it was empty.  Confused grumbling came from
several women before the crowd dispersed.  From the roof overhead, Happosai
watched the women leave, chuckling to himself.  He hefted the bag and leapt
in the direction of the Tendo home.

When he arrived, he was surprised to see Cologne there.  Ranma and Akane,
keeping a suspicious distance, had gone to the dojo to spar.  Happosai
pointed a finger at Cologne.  "What is she doing here?"

Cologne accepted a cup of tea from Kasumi.  She took a sip before answering.
"Actually, I came to see  you."

"What do you want, I'm a busy man."

Cologne looked at the bag.  Some of the contents were sticking out.
"Obviously, but I have a very important matter that we must discuss alone."

There were sounds of yelling coming from the dojo, but they were ignored.

Kasumi put another cup of tea on the table.  "Don't worry about me.  I'll
just go clean some dishes."

Cologne watched Kasumi step into the kitchen before hopping over the table.
"We should go outside.  I don't trust these Tendos."

A loud crunch of breaking wood came from the dojo.  The yelling continued.

Happosai closed his eyes, his arms folded.  "I'm not going anywhere until
you tell me what this is about."

Cologne pivoted on her staff, looking down at the old man.  "I assure you,
it is a matter of life and death."

Happosai dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand, his eyes still
closed.  "Nothing has been able to kill me off yet.  You don't get to my age
without knowing a few tricks."

"I assure you, you are in mortal danger."

A scream came from the direction of the dojo.

Something in Cologne's voice got his attention.  He opened his eyes and
followed Cologne quietly to the far side of the koi pond.

  **  **  **

Akane fumed.  As usual, not only could she not get through Ranma's defenses,
but he refused to hit her back.  "Why aren't you fighting back?"

Ranma smiled.  "I told you I don't hit girls."

"Then why even spar with me if you won't hit me?"

"(Ahem)  Excuse me, am I interrupting something?"  Ranma and Akane turned to
the doorway.  Nodoka stood at the steps to the dojo, holding her wrapped
katana in her hands.

Ranma noticed something in her expression that bothered him.  "Mom?"

Nodoka stepped to one side.  Standing behind her was a man wearing blue
jeans and a gray jacket.  The man looked American, or British.  He was
leaning a bokken against his shoulder casually.  The man looked at Ranma
intently.

Akane also noticed the expression on Nodoka's face.  "What's wrong, Mrs.
Saotome?"

Nodoka looked at her son.  "This man wants to speak with you Ranma.  It
seems.... very important."

The man stepped into the dojo.  "You may call me David, David White."  He
turned to Nodoka.  "May I?"

Nodoka held her katana up to David, who leaned his bokken in the doorway and
took the sword in his hands.  He removed the wrappings and took the katana
out of the scabbard.  He stepped away from Nodoka, hefting the weapon in his
hand.  "Folded blade.  Nice balance."  He took a few swings with it before
looking over at Ranma.  "How much experience do you have with a katana?"

Ranma looked at David, confused.  "I've spent most of my time training in
unarmed combat."

David shook his head.  "No good."  He turned to Nodoka.  "You never taught
him?"

Nodoka sadly shook her head.  "I did not have much time with him."

David looked back to Ranma, sizing him up.  "That is unfortunate."  He
tossed the katana, handle first, to Ranma.  Ranma caught the hilt in both
hands and blinked.  David stepped back to the doorway and picked up his
bokken.  He pointed the bokken in Akane's direction.  "It would be better if
you stood outside."

Nodoka held her hand out.  "Come here, dear."

Akane looked at Ranma.  Ranma glanced at her.  "Don't worry about me.  I can
take care of myself."  Akane nodded, but she noticed some uncertainty in his
voice.  She stepped over to Nodoka, who took her hand and gave her a little
hug.

David stepped up to Ranma in the middle of the dojo.  "I've come to see what
your fighting skills are like, to see how well you measure up."

Ranma uneasily held the sword up.  "I ain't used to fighting with a katana."

David held his bokken up.  "Well, it is exactly your capabilities as a
swordsman that I am interested in."

The two faced off for a few moments before David swung a simple strike.
Ranma blocked the blow with his arms.  David stepped back.  "Don't use your
arms.  Use the sword.  Pretend it's an extension of your arm.  Pretend I
have a katana as well.  I would have cut your hands off."

David waited a second, and then struck at Ranma's head.  The katana flashed
up, blocking the blow.  David nodded his head.  "Better."  He held his
bokken ready.  "Now strike at me."  Ranma blinked.  "Don't worry about your
blade.  I can take care of myself."

Ranma shrugged, held the katana over his head, and swung down at David.
David stepped aside, allowing the katana to cut into the wood floor.  His
bokken flashed out, rapping the top of Ranma's hands.  "Clumsy."  The bokken
swiped up, stopping inches from Ranma's throat.  "And ineffective."

Ranma felt embarrassed.  He also felt angry.  He chopped at David's arms
with his hand.  David swatted the strike away with his bokken.  "Don't use
your hands!"

"Ok, fine!"  Ranma yelled, face red.  He jumped in the air and kicked at
David's head.  David ducked out of the way, and Ranma's foot went though the
wall with a loud crunch.

"I told you to use the katana!"  Frustration and disappointment were in
David's voice.

Ranma stepped back to the katana, which was still lodged in the floor.  "Why
do I have to use a sword?  I can fight just fine with my hands and feet!"
He pulled the weapon out of the floor.

David stood up and rapped Ranma on the head with his bokken.  "Baka!  There
are enemies that you will face that cannot be beaten without such a weapon!"

Ranma didn't understand, but held the katana up.  David thrusted the bokken
to Ranma's chest and connected.  Ranma fell back, but held on to the sword.
David dropped his bokken angrily to the floor.  "This is useless!  I came to
see this great martial artist!  What a disappointment!"

Ranma jumped back up.  "You take that back!"  He held the sword menacingly
in front of him.

David held his hands to his sides.  "Go ahead.  I already know you're
useless with that thing."  Ranma swung.  David leaned just outside the sweep
of the blade.  "Too slow!"  Ranma swiped at his chest.  David leaned back,
again out of reach.  "No good!"  Ranma's face was turning red at the
insults.  He swung at David's head.  David ducked.  "Not even close!"  Ranma
yelled a kiai and stamped a foot forward, thrusting the blade.  The blade
pierced David's chest and stuck out his back.  Akane screamed.

David stepped back.  Ranma dropped his grip on the katana, which remained
lodged through David's torso.  David's gray jacket turned dark as blood
flowed out of the wound.  He looked down at the sword and reached behind him
to touch the tip.  Ranma's mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.
David fell to his knees, mouth open in shock.  He tucked his head tucked in
pain.

Then he grabbed the hilt, and grunted as he tried to push the sword out.
Ranma stepped forward and helped him.  He pulled the katana free and dropped
it.  The bloody blade nicked the floor as it landed.  He kneeled before
David, who grabbed his shoulders for support.  Ranma couldn't think of
anything to say.  David sat there for a few long moments, fighting for
breath.  Suddenly, Ranma noticed that David's breathing was becoming easier.
A couple of seconds later, David leaned on Ranma's shoulders and slowly
stood up.  Ranma stood up and looked into David's face.  There wasn't any
pain.  If anything, Ranma would say that David appeared to be meditating.
Finally, David opened his eyes and returned Ranma's gaze.  He took a deep
breath before speaking:  "Not bad.  You show a little promise."

David picked up the katana, carefully wiping the blood onto his jacket
before putting it back in the scabbard and handing it to Nodoka.  Nodoka
accepted the sword with one hand, her other hand held over her mouth.  Akane
stared, her face white.  Ranma still stood in the dojo, mouth open.  David
bowed to the two women.  "Forgive me for frightening you.  I will explain
sometime, but I cannot at the moment.  Meanwhile, you must trust me that it
is vitally important that he begin training in the handling of your sword."
Nodoka was barely able to nod.  David picked up his bokken casually.  "Very
well, then.  I will be back to check on his progress."  He stepped out of
the dojo and through the front gate.

  **  **  **

Shampoo arrived at the Maison Negitaya and jumped off her bike.  She carried
the boxes up and knocked on the front door.  A few moments later, an elderly
woman opened the door.  Shampoo bowed.  "Shampoo have delivery for
Kuroneko."

The elderly woman held the door open, allowing Shampoo to walk inside.
"She's in room 6, upstairs."

Shampoo climbed the stairs and walked down the hallway to a door that had a
wooden 6.  She knocked on the door.  A voice inside said, "Hai, chotto."  A
few moments later, a young woman with short raven hair opened the door.

Shampoo held the box out and bowed.  "Delivery for Kuroneko."

"That would be me," the woman replied.  "Please, come inside."

Shampoo stepped inside and looked around the room.  Posters of black cats
covered the walls.  A pair of cat statues faced each other from opposite
sides of a desk.  A small shelf stereo was playing a song from the musical
"Cats".  The song was telling a story about a "Rum Tum Tugger."  Kuroneko
started looking through a desk drawer.  She fished out some money and paid
Shampoo.  Shampoo accepted the payment, still looking around at all the
posters.

Kuroneko watched Shampoo for a moment.  "You like cats?"

Shampoo silently nodded her head.

  **  **  **

Back at the Nekohanten, Cologne looked up at the clock.  "What can be taking
that girl so long?"  Finally, Shampoo opened the back door, giggling.
Cologne hopped over to the back room.

Shampoo stepped in, followed by Kuroneko.  Shampoo turned to see Cologne.
"Nihau, great-grandmother.  This Kuroneko.  She like cats."

Cologne dropped to the ground, holding her staff in front of her.  Her eyes
narrowed.  "What are you doing here?"

Kuroneko looked back to Cologne with interest.  "I only came to visit.  I
mean you no harm."

Cologne stepped around Kuroneko, looking her up and down.  "I recognize you.
You are a thief."

Kuroneko put a hand to her chest, pretending to look hurt.  "Me?  A thief?"
She waved her hand.  "Even if I was, I'm here in Nerima on vacation."  She
looked over to Cologne's shelf of spices and such.  "Besides, you wouldn't
have anything here of real value anyway, would you?"

Cologne jumped between Kuroneko and her shelf.  "You will not have anything
of mine."

Kuroneko pretended to look hurt again.  <Well, Xian Pu, I suppose I should
head back home, then.>

Shampoo whispered a "goodbye" and watched as Kuroneko walked silently out
the door.  She turned to Cologne.  "Why great-grandmother be rude to Shampoo
friend?"

Cologne turned to Shampoo.  "That woman is no one's friend.  She cannot be
trusted.  You are not to see her again."

Shampoo sighed.  "Yes, great-grandmother."

  **  **  **

Things were quiet for the rest of the month, like the calm before a storm.
Nodoka, out of fear for her son's life, was over at the Tendo dojo each
night, sparring and coaching Ranma with a pair of bokken.  She was proud of
how quickly Ranma became swift and graceful with the practice swords.  After
three weeks of training, Nodoka brought the katana back out.  She had Ranma
practice his strokes on one of the Tendo training dummies.  His moves were
swift and precise.  He finished with a kiai and a slash that cut completely
through the wood.  The top half and left arm of the dummy fell onto the
ground.

"Not bad," a familiar voice said from inside the house.  Ranma and Nodoka
turned to see David and Kasumi in the doorway.  David had a large sword
strapped to his back.  He turned to Kasumi and bowed, saying, "Arigatou
gozaimasu."  Kasumi blushed and walked back to the kitchen.

"I have instructed him as you have asked,"  Nodoka said.  "Can you now tell
us why we must do so?"

Clouds were quickly gathering.

David sighed and returned Nodoka's gaze.  "I suppose as his mother, that you
are entitled to an explanation.  I'm not sure that you will believe me,
though."

"Trust me," Ranma said as he stepped back to his mother, "this place has
seen some really weird stuff."

David looked at Ranma.  "Like what kind of stuff?"

Nodoka sheathed the katana.  "You first."

David nodded.  "Of course."  He reached over his shoulder and took his sword
in his hand.  It had a wide blade, and was nearly long enough to require two
hands.  David, however, held the sword in one hand in a salute.  "I am David
White.  I was born in London, England in 1427.  I traveled to America on the
Spanish ship The Nina.  I spent most of my life in America and Europe.  I
cannot die."  David paused a moment to allow his words to sink in.  "I have
come because there is a great warrior who will be coming.  He may be in
Japan already.  He is coming to kill you, Ranma Saotome."

The rumble of thunder was heard.

Ranma swallowed a bit.  "Well," he finally said.  "I've had people say they
want to kill me before."

David stepped towards Ranma, putting his sword back into it's scabbard.
"Were they teenagers with a grudge, or were they warriors who have killed
before?"

"Most of them were the first kind.  I've fought warriors before too, though.
Heck, I've even fought a dragon."

"I sincerely hope, then, that this is just another adventure for you."

Nodoka put her hands on Ranma's shoulders.  "What can you tell us about this
warrior that wants to fight Ranma?"

David looked into Ranma's eyes.  "I have not fought him myself.  I have lost
some friends to him, though.  There was a fight in Germany that was
particularly nasty.  His Japanese name is Kokushibyou Mazyutu.  He was born
somewhere in China at about 500 AD.  In the past thousand years, he has
become powerful with black magic and sorcery.  He seems to keep himself
around areas of political unrest, though he doesn't limit himself to that.
For the past fifty years or so, he's been traveling around China, Korea,
Hong Kong, and Vietnam.  He's been on kind of a campaign against people like
me, immortals."

Nodoka furrowed her brow.  "Why does he attack immortals if you cannot die?"

David explained, "An immortal can kill another immortal by cutting off his
head.  That is the only way we can die.  That is why the sword is so
important."

Nodoka shook her head.  "Then I don't understand what he wants with Ranma."

David stepped closer to Ranma.  "We can feel when another immortal is near.
There are others of my kind here in Tokyo. I visited an immortal here in
Nerima before I first saw you."  David put his and on Ranma's chest, looking
into his eyes.  "I am visiting one now."

Lightning struck the two men.  David closed his eyes.  Ranma threw his head
back and yelled.  Nodoka fell back into the house.  David held his hand on
Ranma's chest as lightning struck the two again and again.  Ranma fell to
his knees, and David kneeled to support him.  Just as quickly as it started,
the storm was gone.  The silence disturbed only by the panting of two young
men.

Nodoka peeked around the corner, happy to see that her son was still alive.
"What was that?"

Ranma, gasping for breath, touched his chest where David had been touching
him.  "I felt.... I felt..."

David stood back up.  "You felt the quickening."

Ranma stood up, still feeling his chest.  "I was struck by lightning."

"Yes."

"And... I'm not dead."

"Of course not."

"So....  I'm really..... immortal?"

David let it sink in for a moment.  "It takes a while to get used to."  He
stepped to Ranma's side, putting his hand on his shoulder.  "But you have
time."

Kasumi ran out of the kitchen.  "Is everyone all right?  I thought I heard
an explosion!"

All heads turned to Ranma, who put his hand up.  "We're all ok."  Kasumi
nodded, but stayed by Nodoka.

David patted Ranma's shoulder.  "Well, that's enough to tell for now.  What
was the 'weird stuff' that you were talking about?"

Ranma shrugged and walked over to the koi pond.  He knelt down and splashed
himself with the cold water.  She stood back up, shaking the extra water
from her red hair, and looked back to David.  It took David a few seconds to
realize that Ranma had changed more than the color of her hair.

David stood there, mouth open.  "Now _there's_ something I've never seen
before!"  He sat there, staring, for several seconds.  "You're.... actually
a girl now."

Ranma folded her arms and looked away.  Kasumi stepped back into the kitchen
and returned with a pot of hot water.  She took it to Ranma, who poured some
over her head.  He then handed the pot back to Kasumi.  "Thanks, Kasumi."

David stared a few moments more.  All he could say for a while was "wow".
Finally, he unstrapped his sword and placed it down on the floor.  He turned
to Nodoka.  "Mrs. Saotome, do you have the two bokken handy?"  Nodoka bowed
and retrieved the bokken from the dojo.  David accepted them.  "Arigatou
gozaimasita."  He tossed one of them, handle first, to Ranma.  "Enough of
this.  Let's see how far you've come."

Ranma caught the bokken and assumed a ready stance.  David swung his bokken
around a little before holding it ready.  The two sparred for a while around
the yard.  Ranma, while doing his best to impress the man, could tell that
David was holding back.  David knocked Ranma's bokken out of his hands.
Ranma stopped short as David's bokken was pointed to his throat.  David held
his position for a moment, to make sure Ranma got the point, before lowering
his sword.  He looked at Ranma a bit longer before speaking again:  "You
have progressed remarkably well.  Unfortunately, I fear that we are running
out of time."  He turned to Nodoka.  "With your permission, I would like to
bring in another sensai.  She is experienced in the same forms of combat
that he needs to know.  She is the one that taught me."  Nodoka sighed and
nodded.  "Thank you.  She lives here in Tokyo.  I should be able to find her
quickly."

  **  **  **

David stepped back into the Nekohanten, smiling at the number of customers
he saw this time.  He walked to the back and was greeted by Cologne.  <Well,
well.  I didn't expect to see you back here so soon.>

David waved his hand at the dining area.  <I'm glad to see that things are
going well for you.>

Cologne beamed proudly.  <These old hands still know how to cook.>

<Just imagine what you could have done if your first quickening had not come
so late.>

Cologne dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand.  <I do not bother myself
with such trivialities.  My apparent age has brought me advantages I would
not otherwise be able to enjoy.>

David smiled.  <I'm sure it has.>

<Do you have more news?  Is it the Kurgan?>

David's smile disappeared.  <I don't think it is him.  I'm fairly certain
that it is Mazyutu, though I haven't seen him.>

Cologne nodded solemnly.  <Yes.  I suppose that makes sense.  The Japanese
government is fairly stable, though, or is there something more?>

<Actually, I think that he is after the Saotome youth.  He might attempt to
fight Ranma before he realizes his potential.>

Cologne nodded again.  <I have trained that one.  He is very strong.  I have
been surprised at his abilities on multiple occasions.>

<He does have much potential, but he may not have much time.  His mother has
been training him in the use of her katana.>

<I would have taught him in those arts, but we have been..... distracted.>

David nodded, smiling.  <Yes.  I have gotten the impression that everyday
life here is.... quite different from what most would expect.>

<Do you know of his curse?>

<Ah, yes.  He has shown me.  I've never seen anything like it.>

<The curse comes from a mountain range in China.  The Jurisenkyo training
grounds.>

<Remind me never to visit there.>

<There are others here who have been cursed as well.>

David shifted.  <There are other immortals here, too.>

<Yes, I have spoken to one of them already.  His name is Happosai.>

David paused thoughtfully.  <His name doesn't sound familiar.>

<He is not your typical immortal.  He does not seem interested in the prize.
His interests lie.... elsewhere.>

<Not interested in the prize?  His interest must be some sort of obsession.>

<You could definitely say that.>

David sighed.  <Very well.  There is at least one other, isn't there?>

Cologne nodded.  <Yes, but he is a difficult person to find.>

<Is he a master of stealth?  Maybe we could send him some sort of message.>

Cologne shook her head.  <No, he's always getting himself lost.  Has no
sense of direction.>

David thought a bit.  <Could he be that sensitive to the Gathering?  He must
be fighting the impulse if he's getting himself lost.>

<I have thought as much, but it is difficult to be sure.>

<Well, if he is, then we might be able to use that to our advantage.  In the
meantime, I was wondering if you knew of the whereabouts of another old
friend.  I was hoping that Kuroneko could accelerate Ranma's training.>

Cologne frowned.  <I have seen her around.  She is staying at a nearby
maison.  Do you trust her?>

David smiled.  <Not with any valuable material goods, but she is the best
sensai that I know.>

Cologne sighed.  <Very well.  My great-granddaughter can show you where she
is.>

David furrowed his brow.  <Great-granddaughter?>

<Figuratively.  All women at Joketsuzoku consider each other family.>

<Sounds interesting.  I might want to see that place.>

<You wouldn't like it, being a man.  Besides, it is very close to
Jurisenkyo.>

David nodded.  <You certainly have lived in interesting places.>

<Tell me about it.>

=============================
Chapter 2:

Ranma followed David from the train station into an industrial district.
Ranma carried his mother's katana.  David's sword was slung on his back.
Ranma looked around, puzzled.  "Why are we going out here?"

David looked back.  "We need some space where we won't be disturbed."  They
walked into an abandoned warehouse.  David looked around and nodded.  "This
looks like the place."  A few empty crates lay to one side, but the rest of
the floor was open.

Ranma looked at the dusty crates.  "The katana master said to meet here?"

"I sure did."  Kuroneko stepped out of the shadows.  She was wearing a long,
black cloak.  She turned and frowned at David.  "You're late."

David shrugged.  "My apologies.  We had an.... interesting breakfast."

Kuroneko narrowed her eyes.  "Well, before we start with him, I'd like a bit
of a warm up."

David reached behind him, pulling his sword out.  "As you wish, sensai."

Kuroneko removed her cloak, revealing black leather pants, and a lavender
silk shirt that was covered with a black leather vest.  She also had a
katana with an ornate wooden handle.  She noticed that Ranma was staring at
the weapon.  "Got it not far from here a couple hundred years before you
were born."  She unsheathed the katana.  "The blade isn't folded, but it has
good balance for training."

David nodded.  "I'm sure it's plenty sharp enough to shave with."

Kuroneko held the katana ready.  "Lets find out."

Ranma stepped back and watched the two.  Kuroneko struck first, then the two
began moving so fast that it was difficult for Ranma to see who was
attacking and who was defending.  The swords flashed in the light coming
through the windows.  The clangs of metal on metal rang out in rapid
succession.

Kuroneko stepped back for a moment, katana ready.  "Why aren't you wearing
your favorite shirt?"

Ranma looked at David, noticing that his t-shirt had a picture of dolphins
on it.  David shrugged.  "My cat shirt got cut and stained in a training
accident."

Kuroneko shook her head.  "Such a pity.  I'll have to get you another one."
She struck low.

David blocked.  "I hope that it will last longer than the first one."  He
thrusted at her chest.

She parried.  "I hope so, too."  She flicked her katana, knocking David's
sword out of his hand.  He looked at the sword and sighed.  She chuckled.
"You're getting rusty, old man."

David pointed back to Ranma.  "All the more reason to gather more strength
against the Kurgan and Mazyutu."

Kuroneko lowered her katana.  "I think one of them is here in Japan."

David nodded.  "I think it is Mazyutu."

Kuroneko turned to look at Ranma.  "And you think that he has a chance
against the sorcerer?"

Ranma stepped forward.  "Hey, I can fight pretty good."

David picked his sword up.  "He's very impressive in kenpo."

Kuroneko shrugged.  "Useless. Even if kicking did any good, he won't even
get a chance to touch Mazyutu, let alone attack."

David turned back to Ranma.  "This boy has other talents as well.  He is
extremely quick with his hands.  He has impressive strength and stamina."

"Well."  Kuroneko raised her katana to Ranma.  "Let's see what you know,
then."

Ranma unsheathed his mother's katana and held it ready.  The two sparred for
a few minutes.  David watched with interest.  *He looks like he's even
better than our little match last night.*

Kuroneko knocked Ranma's katana out of his hands.  "Enough."

Ranma looked over at David, who shrugged.  "She always does that.  You get
used to it."

"I have to say this."  Kuroneko stepped over to David, sheathing her weapon.
"He is a fast learner.  I think he even improved a bit during my little
test."

Ranma confidently put his mother's katana back in the scabbard.  "Tol-jya
I'm good."

Kuroneko sighed.  "It'll take more than a good martial artist with a fast
katana to defeat Mazyutu.  His name fits him.  He knows enough black magic
that he has been cutting us down like a plague.  If we could keep him from
using his magic, I might be able to beat him.  As it is, even I don't have
much of a chance."

"Does he know any chi attacks?"  Ranma asked.

David shook his head.  "I don't know.  Why, do you know how to harness your
chi?"

Ranma nodded.

Kuroneko doubtfully folded her arms.  "Lets see."

Ranma handed the katana to David and closed his eyes.  As he concentrated, a
glowing ball of energy formed in front of him.  Ranma opened his eyes and
yelled, "Moko takabisha!"  The ball of energy flew out, striking one of the
crates.  The wood exploded.  All that remained was some wood dust in the air
and a burn mark on the concrete floor.

Kuroneko's jaw dropped.  "I haven't seen anyone pull that much energy for a
very long time."  David nodded silently, eyes wide.  Kuroneko looked back to
Ranma.  "You can rest for a moment."  She looked over at David.  "How much
have you told him?"

David shook his head.  "Not much yet.  He felt his first quickening last
night."

Kuroneko looked Ranma up and down.  "So young.  It would have been better to
have waited."

"If Mazyutu is already in Japan, then training Ranma now may already be too
late."

Kuroneko nodded.  "The dark sorcerer's change in pattern was unexpected."

David bowed his head.  "I should have known.  The Kurgan tried to do the
same thing to MacLeod before the Highlander had any training."

Kuroneko put her hand on David's shoulder.  "Don't berate yourself for what
you could have done.  Besides, I've heard that you have been busy yourself.
We should concentrate our efforts in preparing for the future."

David nodded and turned to Ranma.  "Before I explain more, do you have any
questions?"

Ranma looked over to David.  "Yes,  I want to know why this guy is hunting
down immortals."

"All immortals are destined to fight,"  David explained.  "We fight each
other to the death.  In the end, there can be only one.  The last immortal
to survive will receive the Prize."

"What's this prize?"

"The Prize is a kind of power.  It's not unlike becoming emperor of the
Earth.  The one who wins the Prize will be able to hear the thoughts of
mortals, to shape their destiny.  If the one who wins the Prize is evil,
like the Kurgan, or Mazyutu, then mankind will be doomed to suffer an
eternity of darkness.  If the one who wins the Prize is good, then mankind
may learn to know peace."

"So, us good guys are ganging up on the bad guys?"

"We may only fight one-on-one.  There can be no interference.  You should
also know that you are safe on holy ground."

"But we work together, right?"

Kuroneko sighed.  "The Kurgan and Mazyutu are each very powerful warriors.
If we are to prevent them from winning the prize, we have to fight with more
than our hands.  We must also use our heads and our hearts."

Ranma stared at the charred spot on the floor.  He reached to David for the
katana.  "I have rested."

Kuroneko nodded.  "Then, let's begin your training."

  **  **  **

Ryoga sat at the campfire.  Finding himself outside the town of Kokura
didn't help his confidence that he would find his way to Tokyo again.  They
told him to follow the road straight to Tokyo.  The only problem was that
the road turned to the right, and by going straight as they had said, Ryoga
found himself in the wilderness again.  He poked at the fire with a stick,
trying to figure out a way to blame his current state on Ranma.

A large Chinese man stepped out of the forest and into the light of the
fire.  Despite his Asian descent, the man must have been more than two
meters tall.  He wore a black cloak that covered red pants and a red vest.
A number of black bags hung by his belt.  His long raven hair matched his
black eyes.  He carried a very impressive looking two-handed sword leaned
against his shoulder.  As he slowly spoke, his deep, resonant voice sent a
shiver down Ryoga's spine.  "Tell me, young man, how I might find my way to
Tokyo."

Ryoga shrugged.  "I am trying to find my way there myself."

"Well then,"  the warmth in the man's voice sounded hollow and insincere,
"perhaps we could travel together, since we are headed the same way."

Ryoga shifted uneasily.  There was something about this man that made him
very nervous.  Actually, there were several things about the man that made
him nervous.  "I'd make a lousy guide."

The man knelt at the fire opposite Ryoga.  "Then allow me to guide you.  I'm
sure I can find my way there with little trouble."

Ryoga shook his head again.  "No thank you.  I can manage."

The man stood up, stepping into the fire.  Ryoga looked on wide eyed to see
that neither the man nor his clothes were burning.  The man shifted his
sword on his shoulder.  "Perhaps you do not like me.  Are you frightened,
little boy?"

Ryoga said nothing, but nervously reached for his umbrella.

The man peered directly into Ryoga's eyes.  "Yes, I can see that you are
uncomfortable.  You look like a little black piglet that has seen a knife
for the first time."

Ryoga found his umbrella, and swept it up into a ready stance.  "Who are
you?"

The man, still standing in the fire, bowed.  "Forgive me for not introducing
myself.  I have many names.  Around here, I am known as Kokushibyou Mazyutu.
You may call me Mazyutu."

Ryoga shivered at the name, but held his umbrella steady.  "What do you want
with me?"

Mazyutu lowered his sword to poke at the embers at his feet.  "I travel
these lands looking for people like you.  People who may try to interfere
with my plans."  He separated one of the red-hot coals from the others,
pushing it over the dirt.  "Some of these people I am fortunate to find
before they realize their potential."  He stabbed his sword down, shattering
the ember. "I strike them down in their weakness."  He pointed his sword to
Ryoga.  "You have yet to learn who you really are, what your full potential
is.  You have already grown strong.  I would have dealt with you sooner,
but,"  Mazyutu sighed, "I'm afraid that you are a difficult person to track
down."  Mazyutu looked at Ryoga's umbrella.  "Don't you have a more
formidable weapon with you?"

Ryoga hefted his umbrella.  "This is all I need."

Mazyutu casually regarded Ryoga for a few seconds.  "Well, I'm afraid that a
heavy stick isn't going to do you much good."

"We'll see about that."

Mazyutu casually waved his hand.  "Oh, very well."  He raised his sword with
one hand and let it drop on Ryoga.  Ryoga hefted his umbrella with both
hands and stopped the blade a few inches above his head.  He grunted as he
pushed the sword away.  Mazyutu allowed the sword to swing up, twisting the
handle so that the blade landed flat against his shoulder.  "I must say that
you are stronger than you look."  He lazily swung his sword to Ryoga's side.
Ryoga blocked, again with both hands on his umbrella.  The clang of metal on
metal echoed through the countryside.  Ryoga noticed that the impact made
him slide a bit on the ground.  Ryoga also noticed that Mazyutu was holding
the two-handed sword in one hand, keeping his other hand on his hip.

Ryoga shivered.  "You're toying with me."

Mazyutu chuckled.  "Well, it would not be nearly as interesting to merely
chop you down, now, would it not?"

Ryoga took a deep breath and yelled as he struck the ground with his finger:
"Bakusai tenketsu!"  The blast knocked him back.  He covered his face as
rocks pelted him.  He hit the ground on his shoulder and rolled.  He looked
up and waited for the dust to clear.  He could see the crater.  It was the
largest he had ever made.  The effort from the single blast nearly exhausted
him.  Rocks rained down, many of them rolling down into the new crater.  He
looked around, but could not see far through the dust cloud.

Laughter rang out across the crater.  A hollow, resonant laughter that
seemed to echo from everywhere.  Ryoga saw Mazyutu walking around the rim of
the crater as he drew nearer.  Mazyutu stopped a couple of meters away and
looked down into the crater.  "Well, well.  You certainly are full of
surprises.  Your breaking point crater is one of the biggest that I have
seen, and I have seen quite a few in my time."

Ryoga stared at the dark man.  "In your time?"

Mazyutu nodded.  "Little boy, I was fighting samurai, ninjas, and wizards
1500 years before you were born.  I have seen all kinds of magic."  He
planted his sword in the ground and held his hands a short distance apart,
palms facing each other.  "Especially black magic."  The air between his
palms began to glow red.  The red glow grew into a large ball.  Mazyutu
stood, silently staring at Ryoga.  The red ball grew brighter before
shooting over and hitting Ryoga in the chest.

Ryoga was thrown back by the blast.  Instead of being burnt by the energy,
he felt a deep, piercing cold.  He hit a tree and fell to the ground,
shivering.  Mazyutu pulled his sword out of the ground and slowly walked
towards the lost boy.  Ryoga watched helplessly as the dark man approached.
*This is it,* he thought.  * I'll never be able to beat Ranma.  I'll never
find a cure.  I'm never going to see Akane again.*  The last thought dropped
him into depression.  He could feel the depression deepen as he heard the
footsteps.  The blackness was beckoning him.  A familiarity with the
blackness chilled him even more.  He could feel the power of depression
swell inside him.  An image of Akane, smiling at him, fed the blackness.

Mazyutu watched as the boy began to glow.  His entire body was covered with
a faint green light that was beginning to grow stronger.  Mazyutu shouldered
his sword.  "What is this?"  He held his hand out.  A glowing red ball
stretched from his hand and reached to the glowing boy.  The green glow grew
stronger at the touch of the red energy.  "Most interesting."  Mazyutu
planted the sword again, and used both hands to form a larger red chi ball.
The ball eventually took up the space between Mazyutu and Ryoga, the red
glow becoming very bright.  "Resistance is futile."

Ryoga didn't listen.  He felt as if he were inflating like a balloon.  His
chi energy, feeding off his growing depression, was becoming harder and
harder to contain.  The chill he felt from the nearby red ball only feeding
his depression further.  Finally, when he could contain himself no longer,
he yelled out, "Shishi hokoudan!" and blacked out.

  **  **  **

Kuroneko treated Ranma and David to a sushi dinner.  The three were sitting
at the counter.  Serving boats floated in a moat that surrounded two chefs.
Sushi dishes bobbed on top of the boats.  A TV mounted nearby was showing a
live sumo wrestling match.  Kuroneko finished off a roll before turning to
Ranma.  "I wanted to tell you that I have been very impressed with how
quickly you have been learning."

Ranma blushed and poked at his rice with chopsticks.

"This is a special news report."  The TV blared, getting the attention of
most everyone in the restaurant.  "A large explosion was recorded about
twenty kilometers west of Yamaguchi.  Debris from the blast has caused
considerable damage to Yamaguchi as well as the towns of Hagi and
Shimonoseki.  Some of the debris has cleared the west coast, landing in the
Sea of Japan.  The tremor from the blast was felt as far away as Hiroshima,
nearly one hundred kilometers to the east.  Initial investigation shows no
indication of radiation, ruling out the possibility that a nuclear weapon
was used.  Even though there are no witnesses yet to a confirm or deny a
shooting star, authorities say they are not ruling out the possibility that
a meteor has hit the western tip of the main island, Honshu.  Miraculously,
a survivor was found near the center of the hundred meter crater formed by
the blast.  The survivor is a teenage boy, and is listed in stable condition
in a hospital in Yamaguchi.  Unconfirmed reports of other injured people,
but no casualties so far, have come from the surrounding area.  We hope to
have more information for you in the evening news, coming up next."

David turned to Ranma.  "Could a chi blast make a crater that big?"

Ranma shook his head.  "I don't know anyone who could draw enough energy to
do something _that_ big."

Kuroneko stared at the TV for a moment.  "Interesting coincidence that the
survivor is a teenage boy.  Know anyone in that area?"

Ranma thought a moment.  "The only one I can think of is Ryoga.  He doesn't
live there, but he.... travels a lot."

"Does he get lost?"  David asked.

Ranma nodded.  "You could say that.  How did you know?"

"I talked to Khu Lon about the immortals in this area.  She said there was
one that had no sense of direction.  I don't understand how he could have
survived that blast, though."

"He can make a big bang with a chi blast fed from depression.  He wouldn't
have hurt himself from that, but he couldn't have made anything that big.
He and I together couldn't have done that, and the two of us can draw more
chi than anyone I know."

David scratched his chin.  "Hmm.  I don't think we should rule out the
possibility that Mazyutu may have had something to do with this.  He might
be able to draw a large enough chi blast or some other magic explosion like
that."

Kuroneko nodded.  "We should go there and get more information.  The three
of us together should be able to handle anything we find there."

Ranma turned.  "You mean we might be able to defeat him together?"

Kuroneko sighed.  "I don't know if we could defeat him, but we won't be easy
prey either.  I think we should find out what happened there, rather than
staying here and waiting for him to come to us."

"Can we go back to my place first?  I don't wanna leave without telling
Akane."

David looked at Ranma.  "Is she your girlfriend?"

"Well, she's kinda my fiancee.  She'd get mad if I just took off without
letting her know."

David sighed.  "I won't tell you how to run your personal life, but I will
warn you that having a relationship with a mortal will only bring you
grief."

Ranma furrowed his brow.  "How come?"

"You will remain as you are now, while she grows old and dies.  I've been
through that heartache twice myself.  It's not an easy lesson to learn."

"Well, what if this Mazyu-guy kills me?  Then, Akane would be the one
crying.  We don't know what's gunna happen.  How is that any different from
what I'm used to?"

David smiled,  "I admire your spirit.  You are more of a man than just a
warrior."

Kuroneko sighed, holding her head up with her hand on her chin.  "Are we
done with this man-to-man junk?  I'd like to get going."

David stood up.  "You're right.  Ranma, would it be ok if you called her?"

Ranma nodded, chuckling.  "Looks like I'll be missing school tomorrow."

David looked at Ranma grimly.  "If we win, you will have plenty of time to
finish school later.  If we lose, school won't matter anymore."

Kuroneko nodded sarcastically at David.  "Great pep talk, Dave.  Let's go."

  **  **  **

The crater itself wasn't hard to find.  The trees for a kilometer around it
had been flattened.  They could get a decent view from a nearby
mountainside.  It was a popular spot for people to get a good look, since
the local officials would not let the general public near the actual site.

Ranma shook his head.  "This doesn't look like a chi blast.  The trees near
the rim would be burnt.  Those trees are still green."

David looked around the site.  "Any explosion that size would generate
enormous heat.  Mt. St. Helens burned everything for kilometers around.  You
would think that all the plant life between here and there would have burnt
off.  The crater looks _really_ shallow."

Kuroneko nodded.  "It's almost just a round clearing, like some sort of wind
just blew everything away, only in all directions."

David stared at what looked to be the epicenter.  "I get the feeling that
black magic had a hand at this.  We should see if the boy remembers
anything."

  **  **  **

Ryoga woke up in the hospital.  A quick check reassured him that he was
alive and whole.  He was a little surprised to notice that he didn't have
any wounds at all.  He jumped out of the bed and looked around.  In a small
closet was his backpack and umbrella.  His umbrella had broken through the
wooden floor of the shelf in the closet.  He also found his clothes in the
closet.  He quickly threw the hospital gown aside and put his clothes on.
Without looking back, he broke through the window to the room and jumped
out.

  **  **  **

The trio didn't have much trouble finding the hospital in Yamaguchi.  There
was a crowd of onlookers and press agents at the front doors.  David
suggested that they look around the back side to see if they could find an
easier way in.  As they turned the corner of the building, they heard a
window crash.  Ranma looked up and recognized Ryoga standing in the broken
window frame.  On the fifth floor.  Without looking, Ryoga jumped out and
hit the ground below.

The three ran over to him.  Ranma knelt and touched Ryoga's shoulder.  Ryoga
moaned and rolled over.  Ranma smiled.  "Nice goin', Ryoga.  Better look
where you're jumping next time."

Ryoga, unable to speak coherently yet, merely groaned again.  David looked
back to the side of the building.  "Someone might have heard you.  We better
get going."  Ranma picked up Ryoga's pack and umbrella.  David hoisted Ryoga
onto his shoulder.  Kuroneko looked around and led the group down the next
alley.

When they felt they were safely away, they found a temple.  David put Ryoga
down before the group walked through the front gate.  Ranma looked at his
friend.  "How do you feel?"

Ryoga nodded.  "I'm fine.  I've hit rocks with more force learning bakusai
tenketsu."

David blinked.  "Did you ever wonder why you could take such a beating and
live?"

Ryoga shook his head.  Ranma chuckled.  "You always had a thick skull."
Ryoga hit Ranma in the shoulder, but his heart wasn't in it.  He looked at
the two strangers.  Ranma waved at them.  "This is David White, and this is
Kuroneko.  They're.... martial artists, like us."  Ranma took Ryoga's pack
off of his back and handed it back to the lost boy.  He then shifted his
mother's katana from the impression it had made on his skin.  "Man, your
pack is heavy."

Ryoga turned to Ranma.  "What's going on, Ranma?  Whatever it is, I'm sure
it's all your fault."

Kuroneko put a hand an Ryoga's shoulder.  "We will have time for petty
little squabbles later.  We need to know what happened here."

Ryoga looked at a nearby rock garden as recent memories began to surface.
"I was trying to find my way to Nerima.  A large man came to my camp.  He
wanted to come to Tokyo with me.  We had a fight."  Ryoga closed his eyes.

David stepped closer.  "Did you try a chi attack?"

Ryoga thought.  "I tried the bakusai tenketsu."  He concentrated more.
There was something about the fight that he could not remember.  That he did
not want to remember.  "It didn't help.  I was losing....  I was depressed."

Ranma suggested, "Did you try the shishi hokoudan?"

Ryoga put his hands on his temples.  Finally, he dropped his hands and
sighed.  "I don't remember."

Ranma folded his arms.  "You were depressed, so you might have, right?"

Ryoga shrugged.  "I might have.  Why do you care?"

"You were found in a huge blast crater.  We're trying to find out what
happened."

Ryoga blinked.  "How big?"

"About 100 meters across,"  said Kuroneko.

Ryoga blinked again.  "Even at my best... at my worst, I've never made
anything that big."

Ranma chuckled.  "I told them you couldn't have done it."

David ignored Ranma's teasing.  "Tell me more about the man you fought."

Ryoga shook his head.  "He was big, black.  Said his name was
Mazy-something."

"Mazyutu?"

Ryoga nodded.  "Yeah, I think that was it."

Ranma looked at his friend.  "I don't suppose you know where he went."

"I don't even know how the fight ended!  How could I know something like
that?!"

"Calm down," Kuroneko soothed.  "If he was nearby, we would know."

David sighed.  "The news report said that some of the debris went as far as
the coast.  If he was in the blast, he could have been knocked anywhere
within a 20 kilometer radius."

Kuroneko shook her head.  "But that wouldn't make sense.  If Ryoga didn't
make the blast, then Mazyutu must have.  But, then why would Ryoga be here
and Mazyutu get knocked away?  If Mazyutu wasn't knocked away, why did he
leave Ryoga?"

David turned to Ranma.  "Is it possible to reflect a chi blast?"

Ranma shook his head.  "Not that I know of.  Ryoga?"

Ryoga looked back.  "I only know how to make chi blasts."

David sighed.  "Well, I think we should figure out a way to find him, then.
If he made the blast, I doubt that he would go far away without finishing
Ryoga off.  He seems to hate unfinished business.  If he didn't make the
blast, he can't have been sent too far away."

Ranma looked at David.  "If he didn't make the blast, he might be hurt right
now."

Kuroneko shook her head.  "He knows some very strong black sorcery.  He
might have been able to feed off of it and be more powerful."

"If he is stronger,"  David said, "we need to find out before he attacks.
If he is weaker, one of us might be able to defeat him before he
regenerates.  Either way, we should find him as quickly as we can."

"That might be easier than you think."  A deep, resonant voice said.

=============================
Chapter 3:

The four looked around.  Each one of them noticing a dark Chinese man
sitting casually on a shrine arch.

Ranma and Ryoga quickly dropped into ready stances.  David held his hand
out, almost impatient.  "No fighting on holy ground."

Ranma relaxed.  Ryoga looked over to Ranma, asking, "What?"

Ranma opened his mouth.  He noticed that Mazyutu was looking directly at
him.  He put his hand on Ryoga's shoulder.  "I'll tell ya' later."

Mazyutu dropped down to the ground.  Kuroneko realized with a shiver that he
only took a few steps before she could detect his presence as an immortal.

He stopped less than a meter from the group, empty hands as his sides.  "I
suppose you picked up the pig-cursed boy to find out what happened."

Kuroneko and David turned to Ryoga, who's eyes flared.  Ranma held his hand
up again.  "Later."

Mazyutu turned to Ranma, peering deep into his eyes.  "I see that there is
much yet to be explained, is there not, little lady?  Such fiery red hair.
Such fighting spirit.  I understand why David is interested in you.  You
look like the one person who can make up for so many of his shortcomings."

Ranma looked over to David, whose face was a blank mask.  David spoke, his
tone nearly emotionless.  "Enough pointless personal jabs, old man.  You
must be curious as well.  I doubt that you would show up merely to insult us
and tell us how you failed to kill Ryoga."

Mazyutu smiled.  "What is there to hide about events in the past?  What is
done is done."  He stepped over to Ryoga, staring down at the lost boy.
"Before I tell you, though, I have a single question."  He knelt down,
bringing his face uncomfortably close to Ryoga's.  "What did you feel during
those last moments of our battle?"

Ryoga squirmed.  He still did not want to remember, but something in
Mazyutu's gaze cut through the fog in his mind.  He heard his own voice, but
did not remember saying the word:  "Depression."

Mazyutu smiled.  "I understand."  Ryoga, even more unsettled, looked away.

David stepped close, attempting to get between Ryoga and Mazyutu.  His voice
filled with hollow concern.  "Oh dear, I just realized that your sword is
missing.  Such a prized weapon."  Mazyutu stood, looking down at David.
David didn't change his expression or his tone of voice.  "You must have it
tucked away.  A safe hiding place."

The two faced off for a few tense seconds, before Mazyutu's frown melted
into a smile.  "Yes, it is in a safe place.  You need not worry about me.
Even unarmed, I can take care of myself."  He turned and began to walk away.

"Hey,"  David called to the black sorcerer's back.  Mazyutu stopped and
slowly turned.  David waited a moment before finishing.  "Don't lose your
head."

Mazyutu smiled, bowing slightly, before turning back and walking towards the
temple exit.

Ranma watched the black cloak sway in the distance.  He reached behind his
back, fingering his mother's katana.  "He must have been weakened.  He
didn't know what Ryoga fed his shishi hokoudan from."

Kuroneko shook her head.  "This seems too convenient.  He is hiding more
than what happened in the forest."

David nodded.  "I agree.  He's playing mind games with us.  He wants one of
us to attack now, while we think he is defenseless."

"But he doesn't have his sword, right?"  Ranma impatiently fidgeted with the
handle of the katana.  "He didn't tease us or nothin', like he wanted to get
us mad at him."

David looked at Ranma.  "That's what he _wants_ us to think."

Ranma frowned at David.  "What?!  You're beginning to sound like my old man.
You just want to avoid any kind of fight you can."  Ranma unslung the katana
and ran after Mazyutu.

Kuroneko held a hand out, yelling, "Ranma, wait!"

David stood there, staring at the young man running down the path.

Ryoga looked at the two for a moment.  "Well, why don't we follow him?"

Kuroneko turned to David, eyes wide.  David stood their calmly.  Ryoga
wanted to step around and see what the expression on David's face was, but
it was a huge amount of effort to move at all.  David spoke quietly, calmly,
as if detached from the current situation, a spectator.  "Because I can't
move."

  **  **  **

Ranma ran, sword sheathed but ready.  The gate they had walked through
minutes ago was ahead.  A forest path leading from there into the fog.  The
rest of Yamaguchi only a few minutes walk away.  He would have to hurry and
find the immortal before he reached the city.  Not only would it be harder
to track someone down in the city, but Mazyutu was likely to find something
he could use as a weapon there.

Ranma sprinted out the gate, running headlong into the fog.  His reflexes
allowing him to jump over logs and duck under branches without slowing down.
He saw a dark figure ahead.

He unsheathed the katana, dropping the scabbard.  The figure in the fog was
not moving quickly.  It was tall and dark.  The image of the cloak walking
slowly in the temple matching the image he saw before him.  As he reached
the figure, he leapt into the air.  He struck hard as he dropped onto the
figure.  The sword buried itself halfway into the shoulders...

He hit the trunk and fell to the ground, the katana still lodged deep into
the wood.  Ranma rubbed his head and looked up.  Only the handle and a short
distance of blade was visible.  The rest was securely wedged into the tree
stump that had looked exactly like Mazyutu only moments before.  Ranma
allowed himself a few moments of quiet swearing before jumping up and
grabbing the handle, pulling with all his strength.

  **  **  **

David could feel the force that was holding him weaken.  He concentrated on
wiggling his toes.  His upper body was not restrained at all, but his legs
would not moved.  It felt as though he were buried up to his waist in sand.
Kuroneko saw him move his foot.  "Good,"  she said, "I can feel it weaken,
too."  David could hear Ryoga grunting and straining behind him.

As he managed to slide a foot forward a bit, he heard a yell from ahead.  He
tried again, and managed to fall onto his stomach.  He caught himself with
his hands.  A thump on his head told him that his sword had come loose in
his scabbard.

He heard footsteps approaching.  He looked up, hitting his head on the hilt
of his sword again.  It was Ranma.

Ranma stopped a short distance from the trio and stared.  "What's wrong with
you guys?"

Kuroneko managed to twist one of her feet in place.  "Some sort of spell, we
can't move."

Ranma held his hands out.  "I can run around fine."  He stepped towards
David.  "I think I know where he is, but my katana got stuck.  Let me use
your sword."

David ducked his head, allowing Ranma to take the sword completely out.
Without another word, Ranma turned and ran back out the gate.

Kuroneko's eyes narrowed.  "David."

David, now able to look up more easily, looked up to Kuroneko.  He managed
to get his knees bent enough to almost kneel in the process.  "What?"

"Did Ranma train with your sword much?"

David shook his head.  "No, he seemed to like the lighter katana."

"Then why didn't he ask for my katana?"

David's eyes opened wide, the realization hitting him hard enough that he
literally fell over.  "Because that wasn't Ranma.  Mazyutu likes the bigger
swords..."

  **  **  **

Ranma had barely gotten the sword to budge when he heard footsteps coming
from the direction of the temple.  Not being able to see very far in the
fog, he yanked again at the hilt.  The wood groaned, and the sword came out
a few centimeters.  The footsteps became louder.  Ranma turned and looked
behind him to see David approach, his sword in his hand.  Ranma relaxed.
"Man, I'm glad to see you."

David stepped up quietly.  "It appears that you are stuck.  Let me cut you
free."

Ranma opened his mouth to say something, but he was forced to jump out of
the way as David swung and struck at him.  The large sword cut a healthy
chunk of wood where Ranma had been just a moment before.  Ranma landed on
the pathway behind David.  "At least you could wait until I'm outta the
way."

David turned to face Ranma, smiling.  He held a black bag in one hand, his
sword in the other.  "Ah, but your reflexes are fast enough to keep you out
of harm's way, are they not?"

Ranma stared at David.  Something was weird.  "Come on, David.  We need to
get him before he gets a chance to hide and recover his strength."

David continued to smile.  He began to chuckle.  His chuckling grew into
laughter.  As he laughed, his body grew and changed.  Ranma stared as
Mazyutu stood before him, laughing.  The sorcerer calmed down quickly.  He
sneered as he spat the words out, "I see, you think I am weak and easily
beaten, do you?"

Before Ranma could reply, he leapt back as David's sword struck out.

  **  **  **

Kuroneko could move her legs stiffly.  She managed to take a couple of
faltering steps.  She could feel the weight on her legs lighten.  She could
see that David had enough use of his legs to sit up.  She turned and saw
that Ryoga was overcoming the spell using sheer will and strength.  The
spell weakened.  Then it was broken so quickly that she nearly fell over.
Ryoga landed on his hands and knees.  All three of them quickly began to run
for the gate.

As they reached the forest path, she noticed that visibility was reduced by
a strange fog.  She slowed, holding her hand out to slow the other two.  She
took her katana out and held it ready.  Ryoga took his umbrella out, holding
it in one hand.  The three cautiously, wordlessly began to step through the
forest path.  An eerie silence made them feel very uneasy.  Kuroneko
continued to lead, Ryoga followed, and David picked up the rear, keeping an
eye behind them.

She continued down the path, crossing over a small creek.  As she walked
beyond the sounds of water, she noticed other sounds, muffled in the
distance.  A voice was speaking.  A sound like an axe cutting wood.  A grunt
of exertion.  As she continued, she was able to pick out two distinct
voices.  One of the was Mazyutu.  The other could have been Ranma, but he
didn't say enough for her to be sure.  She hoped that no one else was
unlucky enough to get caught out here.

Before she could see them, she could feel their presence as immortals.
*They should be able to feel us as well.*

  **  **  **

Ranma landed on the tree branch, comfortably out of Mazyutu's reach.  He was
madly trying to think of a way to distract the sorcerer enough to get a
chance to yank at his sword.

Mazyutu looked up into the tree, black bag still in his free hand.  "Come
down, little boy.  Or should I say..."  he threw the bag at Ranma.

The bag somehow managed to miss the branches as it flew up to Ranma.  Ranma
leapt off the branch as the bag neared.  He watched helplessly as the bag
arced upwards, changing it's path and hitting him square in the stomach.
The bag disintegrated, splashing a cool, white powder over his torso.  He
could feel himself change in mid-air, realizing too late that her arms would
no longer reach the branch she had aimed for.  She twisted as she fell past
her target, trailing white powder.  She extended her legs and landed
uneasily on the uneven forest floor.  The dust of the powder surrounded her,
making her cough.

Mazyutu chuckled.  "...little girl."

She glanced at her mother's katana, still buried in the tree stump.  *I
could barely get it to budge as a guy, there was no way I have the strength
get it loose as a girl.*  She sighed, looking back to Mazyutu.  *I do have
more speed now.*  She got an idea, and leapt to the top of the tree stump
where the katana was stuck.  "Hey old man,"  she taunted.  "You're stupid
bag of tricks doesn't scare me."

Mazyutu stepped slowly to the stump and laughed.  "You think you can anger
me into striking at you.  You want me to cut your katana free."  Ranma
blinked and stepped back as Mazyutu approached.  "Very well, if you think
your weapon will help you."  He casually grabbed the hilt of the katana and
pulled it free.  He then threw the katana at Ranma, blade first.

Ranma stepped to the side and caught the katana by the handle.

Mazyutu stepped back, beckoning Ranma.  "Come down, little girl.  How much
have you trained in your cursed form?"

Ranma gasped, realizing that he had not trained at all as a girl with his
mother, David, or Kuroneko.

  **  **  **

Kuroneko cautiously stepped closer, noticing that Mazyutu was facing a
red-headed girl.  The girl was holding Ranma's katana.  Her clothes looked
similar to Ranma's, but the material was a lighter color.  David stepped up
and whispered, "That's Ranma.  Jurisenkyo curse."

Kuroneko turned to David, incredulously.  "Jury-what?"

Ryoga shook his umbrella.  "We should help him....her"

David grabbed Ryoga's umbrella.  "No, we cannot interfere."

  **  **  **

Ranma dropped down in front of Mazyutu, katana ready.  Mazyutu swung David's
sword.  Ranma easily ducked under it and jabbed the katana up into Mazyutu's
stomach.  She pulled the blade out and jumped back.

Mazyutu chuckled.  "Is that little poke supposed to hurt?"

Ranma hesitated, remembering what David had said.  *I've got to cut off his
head.  No problem, I'm fast enough.*  She watched Mazyutu draw back for
another swing.  She stepped inside the swing, blocking the blade with the
katana.  The katana hit, but the sword continued to swing.  Ranma pushed
back, but was unable to keep the sword from striking her shoulder, cutting
deep into her arm.  She jumped away, letting go of the katana with her right
hand to hold her shoulder.  She could feel the blood on her hand before she
landed.  The katana shook in her grip.

Mazyutu chuckled again.  "Does it hurt, little girl?"

Ranma jumped and rebounded off a nearby tree.  Mazyutu turned as she fell
towards him.  He didn't have time to step out of the way, but he moved
enough that the swing of the katana blade harmlessly grazed his shoulder.
Ranma landed back on the path.  She stepped back up, yelling "Kachu tenshin
amaguriken!"  The katana became a blur, striking at Mazyutu faster than
anyone could see.  Ranma could feel the strikes connect, but Mazyutu didn't
seem to be getting cut anywhere.  Instead, he smiled.

She looked down, seeing that he was holding another black bag a small
distance in front of himself.  He tossed the bag at Ranma.  She felt as
though an invisible wall landed on top of her.  The incredible weight
forcing her to fall back.  She twisted as she fell, and the bag hit the
ground beside her.  As she got back up, she noticed that the bag sank into
the ground where it hit.

She looked back up to Mazyutu in time to see his swing.  She rolled, and
David's sword connected with the ground beside the bag.  He swung the sword
again.  This time, she ducked under the swing, jumping past him after the
sword passed over her head.  She landed, looking back at his belt.  As he
turned to face her, his belt and black bags fell to the ground.

Mazyutu sneered.  "I don't need my magic to cut you, little girl."  He
stepped forward and swung again.  Ranma held the katana with her right hand,
stepping beside the sword and swinging the katana.  The blade cut into
Mazyutu's knee.  He fell to his knees, gasping in surprise when his leg no
longer supported his weight.  Ranma brought the katana down, cutting
Mazyutu's right arm off at the elbow.  David's sword fell out of reach.
Mazyutu grabbed his stump with his left hand, yelling in surprise and pain.

Ranma could feel her left shoulder heal.  She grabbed the katana with both
hands.  She could hear Mazyutu mutter through clenched teeth, "A girl....a
little girl...."

Ranma narrowed her eyes.  She had a dozen snappy comebacks come to mind, but
only one made its way past her throat as she raised the katana over her
head.  "There can be only one!"  She brought the katana down with all her
strength.  The blade sliced cleanly through Mazyutu's neck and cut into the
ground below.

She leaned onto the sword.  She wasn't winded from the battle, but she could
feel her strength drain as she fell to her knees.  She watched Mazyutu's
body twitch as blue lightening sparked from it.  It lifted into the air, and
the lightning became stronger.  Suddenly, a bolt of blue lightning struck
Ranma.  She felt the energy pour through her body.  She had no choice but to
scream as she could feel every muscle in her body tense uncontrollably.  The
image of the forest dissolved into a blue-white cloud.  Her skin felt as
though it was burning from the heat and bursting from the pressure inside of
her.  Amidst the blinding light and burning energy, she could feel his body
changing.  Then, suddenly, the energy vanished.  He collapsed, unable to
catch his breath for a few seconds.

As he recovered, he saw Kuroneko, David, and Ryoga walk down the path
towards him.  The first two just stared at the now motionless body.  Ryoga
spoke first.  "What the heck were all those fireworks?"

Ranma remembered how he felt when David told him he was an immortal, when
lightning had struck them at the Tendo home.  The sensation was similar to
what he just felt.  This time, it was more... pleasurable.  He looked at
David before answering, "The quickening."  He could feel his strength
returning, and stood up.

Ryoga looked at Ranma.  "How the heck did you do that?"

Ranma patted Ryoga's shoulder as the group began to walk towards the city.
"It's a long story."

Just before they disappeared into the fog, Kuroneko turned to Ryoga.  "What
did he mean by 'pig-cursed boy'?"

Ranma opened his mouth and began to say something.  Ryoga glared at him.
Ranma hesitated, and decided to say something else.  "That's another
story..."

=================================================
End of story

Well, that one ended up a whole chapter shorter than the other two.  It took
longer, too.  I'm beginning to wonder if I can write longer stories.  I've
always had trouble in the past.  Maybe next time...

Ranma 1/2 characters are creations of Rumiko Takahashi.
Highlander concepts are trademarks and property of Davis/Panzer Productions.

C&C welcome at searlsa@jps.net , flames will be ignored.
www.jps.net/searlsa

-Andy Searls


If violence is not solving your
problems you're just not using enough of it.
     -Misato