Urd was carefully measuring out her latest love potion,
this one was her most powerful yet, one drop and whoever was
effected would fall hopelessly in love with the first person
they saw.  She gingerlly added the last componant, noticing
with satisfaction the mixture had just the correct texture.

     "That's enough", she murmered, placing the completed
potion in a shock-proof case with the rest of her collection. 
Then the phone rang.  "Damn.. who on earth would that be?",
she wondered.

     "Hello!", she said angrily into the reciever.

     "Oh.. I'm trying to reach... a 'Belldandy'", the female
voice said hesitantly.

     "She's my sister", Urd said impatiently, "But she's out
at the moment, what do you want?".

     "Well... my name is Kasumi, I'm a friend of Brett",
Kasumi said carefully.

     Urd frowned, "How did you get his number?", she demanded,
"Brett should know better than to give out our cards....".

     "Well, you see he told me to ring this number if anything
happened to him", she explained.

     "What!?!?!", Urd exclaimed anxiously, "What's happened??
is he alright??? describe what's wrong". 

     "He seems to be sleeping", she said, "but we can't wake
him up".

     "How did this happen?", Urd asked carefully.  "Sound's
like he's been overdoing it", she muttered to herself.

     "Well.. there was this Demon..", Kasumi said, explaining
the fight.

     "Alright", Urd said frimly, "I want you to go into your
loungeroom and turn on the TV".

     "But... ", Kasumi began.

     "No arguments!", Urd said, hanging up the phone.  She
rushed back into her room, she scribbled down a quick note to
her sisters and then grabbed her potions.  A few seconds later
she stepped into her TV.

                                  ******

     Kasumi and Akane were standing in front of the Tendo's
TV, "And that's all she told you?", Akane asked (for the tenth
time).

     "Turn on your TV", Kasumi confirmed.

     A few moments later, the TV began glowing.  The two girls
stepped back as a brilliant flare of light blinded them
momentarily.

     "Where's Brett?", asked an anxious Urd.

     Akane was standing openmouthed, "Who.. what....", she
muttered thoughtlessly.

     Kasumi pointed at the stairs, "Up there, first door on
your left", she said quickly.

     Urd scooted upstairs and Kasumi turned to an amazed
Akane, "Are you alright?", Kasumi enquired.

     Akane nodded slowly, "We'd better catch up with her", she
suggested.

     The two girls rushed after the Goddess, what they failed
to hear was the faint click of a camera.  Nabiki slid the door
open all the way and stepped into the room, "I've got it!",
she enthaused, "This film will make me more money than I can
count!".  The third Tendo Sister made her way upstairs to her
room, rubbing her hands greedily.

                                  ******


     Urd threw open the indicated door and then stopped. 
There was Brett, lying alongside a red-headed girl.  Urd did a
double-take and examined the young girl closely, "What the
hell?!?!", she began.

     "Oh that's just Ranma", Kasumi said, noting Urd's
outradged expression, "Never mind him".

     Urd shook her head, "Him?", she asked blankly.

     The object of her examinations blinked and rubbed her
eyes, "Whatz goin on??", Ranma mumbled.  Seeing Urd, Ranma
scrubbed at her eyes, "Who are you?", she asked.

     "I'm Urd", Urd replied, "Now move so I can see to Brett".

     Ranma stood and nodded, "I'm gonna grab some hot water",
she mumbled, walking out the door.

     "Whatever!", Urd said, kneeling down next to Brett and
examining his face carefully.  She also took his pulse and
temperature.  "He seems alright to me", she said a moment
later, "I think he probably just needs to recharge a bit".

     She quickly opened her case and sorted through some
potions, "I know I've got something in here that should at
least help him regain conciousness", she muttered.

     A moment later the wall exploded as Shampoo arrived. 
"Now we finish what we started", she announced, advancing
towards a startled Urd.

     "Most people with half a brain use the door", Urd
commented.

     "If she had half a brain, she'd be a vegetable", Akane
muttered.

     Shampoo narrowed her eye's at Akane, "I deal with you
soon", she said.

     Akane stood up and assume a fighting stance, "Any time!",
she announced.

     Kasumi slipped quietly outside as Shampoo advanced
towards Urd and Akane.  Urd stood up and gave Shampoo a frank
look, "Don't annoy me", she warned.

     "HA!", Shampoo said scornfully, "You coward to fight with
magic!".

     Urd raised her eyebrows, "Alright then!", she said,
whispering a quick spellword.  Her swords appeared and her
dress changed into something more suitable for fighting.  She
assumed a ready stance, "Let's go!", she said.

     Shampoo charged and the two of them began fighting back
and forth.  Akane was lost after a few moments of watching the
fight.  Both of them new their weapons and looked evenly
matched.  Akane shuddered as another wall was destroyed, along
with a few bits of furniture.  She ducked as a section of the
roof came down, narrowly missing her.  Not knowing what else
to do, she grabbed a bunch of potions from Urd's case. 
Looking at the writing she had no idea which potion was for
what.

     "Oh well", she thought to herself.  And promptly began
emptying the potions down Brett's throat, one after the other. 
Urd noticed what she was doing after a few moments, "NO!", she
shouted, "Stop it!".

     Akane was about to stop, when Brett's eyes opened and he
sat up suddenly, "Where am I?", he said sharply.  Akane
grabbed him by the ears and turned his head to where Urd and
Shampoo where fighting, "There, your friend needs your help!".

     Brett's eyes focused on the pair fighting.  "YOU!", he
said coldly, "You shall die!".  Energy began cascading down
his arms and Akane backed off fearfully.  Brett calmly cast a
bolt of energy, right at Urd.

     Urd noticed it coming and quickly threw up a shield.  The
impact knocked her from her feet.  A surprised Shampoo took
one look at the angry god getting to his feet at the other end
of the room and promptly stepped out of the way (thus proving
that even vegetables are not *completely* stupid).

     Urd shook her head and stood, "What are you doing?", she
demanded.

     Brett calmly cast the spell that changed him into his
uniform and then summoned his sword, "Well, I see you're
armed?", he asked, "Very nice of you to come prepared!".  Then
he lunged forward in a quick striking motion.

     Urd desperately parried and backed off, "What's wrong
with you?!?", she asked warily.

     "I've come to see just how much I dispise you!", he
uttered, through clentched teeth, "It turns my stomach to even
be in the same room with you!".  With that a huge glow began
to build up around the hilt of his epee.  A burst of raw
energy began to run down the blade.

     Urd saw it coming and realised that she wouldn't have a
hope of stopping so much energy.  "Goodbye sisters", she said
softly, "Goodbye Brett".

     The energy buildup continued, until the air in the room
was charged and discharges of electricity began sparking.  Urd
closed her eyes and waited.  But the burst never came. 
Opening her eyes she saw the energy begin to fade.  The epee
dropped from Brett's hand and he fell to the ground.

     Akane peeked out from where she had taken cover in the
closet, "Is it over?", she asked.

     Urd walked over to where Brett was lying on the floor,
prudently kicking the epee across the room.  She turned him
over and peeled open one of his eyes, "He'll be out of it for
a while", Urd announced.

     "Just like you!", Shampoo said, bringing her mace down
towards Urd's unprotected head.

     There was a splash of water and Urd found herself facing
a small cat.  "Oh My!", Kasumi said looking at all the damage,
"Did I take too long to get the water?".


                                  ******

     Urd was examing her potion collection, trying to
dertermine which ones Akane had forcefed Brett when a scream
echoed through the house.  A frantic Ranma burst into the
room, "I'll KILL HIM!", she screamed.  Ranma was wearing
nothing but a towel and had scald marks on her shoulders.

     "Ranma!", Akane said, "What's wrong?".

     Ranma began advancing towards an unconcious Brett, "He's
destroyed my life!", Ranma replied shortly, "Now it's time for
revenge!".

     Kasumi frowned, "But it wasn't Brett's fault the spell
went wrong.. it was Happosai", she pointed out.

     "Then I'll deal with him next!", Ranma said bluntly.

     Ksaumi nodded, "Well before you do that, here, say hello
to Shampoo", she said, holding out a wet Shampoo-cat.  Ranma
went berserk and jumped out a window.  Kasumi clamly put down
Shampoo (who of course, ran after Ranma).  "There we go", she
said happily, "Now who would like some tea?".

     Akane's jaw dropped and she stared at her sister, "I'll
have some tea thankyou", Urd said, from where she was back
examining her collection.

     After a few minutes Urd had found out which potions Akane
had given to Brett.  Firstly it had been the love potion she
had been working on, followed by another potion that was
suppose to provide honesty, that was followed by a fear potion
and finally a hate potion.  Urd shook her head, it was just
back luck he had looked at her first.

     "Alright", Urd said finally, "You are only suppose to use
the potion in small amounts, I'm not exactly sure what happens
if you drink the whole thing".

     "You mean he's going to be a bloodthirsty maniac
forever?", Akane asked, "Isn't there something you can do?".

     Urd thought for a few moments, "Perhaps, I might be able
to cancel out each of the effects, but it will probably take
me a while to get it right", she said carefully.

     "And it's hard to administer a potion to someone when
they're trying to kill you", Kasumi added.

     Urd frowned, "We *might* be able to get Brett to help
himself", she mused, "If we explain things to him, it *could*
convince him to stop attacking me long enough for me to help
him".

     Akane looked dubious, "Are you sure you want to risk
it?", she asked, "He seemed pretty dangerous".

     Urd shrugged, "The potions aren't suppose to change
someone's personality, just bring out one particular emotion
with one individual", she explained, "Now I know that Brett
isn't a violent person, to be totally frank he's a little too
concerned with self-control".

     Kasumi nodded, "But perhaps you shouldn't be present when
we tell him about it?", she asked.

     "That might be best", Urd agreed, "While you're
explaining things to him I've got a few phonecalls to make". 
With that, Urd passed Akane another potion and went
downstairs.

                                  ******

     "Brett!", came a voice from the darkness, "Come on.. wake
up!".  Someone was tapping my shoulder.  I pushed away the
hand, rolling over, "Brett, you must wake up now", came the
voice again.  Something in my memory reminded me that it was
Kasumi's.

     Rubbing my eyes I slowly sat up, "Oh... did anyone see
what hit me?", I groaned.  My body was rather sore and I had a
few bumps and scratches that I didn't remember getting.  The
room was totalled, walls destroyed, windows smashed and what
looked like the aftereffects of a fireball in one corner.

     I smiled up at Akane and Kasumi, "Did I miss the party?",
I asked.

     Kasumi and Akane seemed to both be rather relieved and I
frowned, "What's been happening?", I insisted.

     Akane forced a smile, "Shampoo paid a visit", she
explained, gesturing to the wall.

     I streched and yawned, "How long have I been asleep?", I
asked.

     Kasumi sat down opposite me, "Not long, Akane woke you up
with a potion", she said.

     "A potion?", I wondered (something in the back of my mind
was shouting warning messages at me).

     Akane nodded, "But unfortunately I gave you the wrong
one", she said apologetically.

     I groaned, "Oh no.. which one?", I asked.  Remembering
the effects of a potion if it's not properly used can be
disasterous.

     Akane blushed slightly and Kasumi expalined quickly which
potions I'd been doused with.  I shook my head, "Let me get
this straight, you hit me with a love potion, followed by a
potion of Honesty, then fear and then a love potion?", I asked
with a sinking feeling.

     The both nodded and I frowned, "Well, why haven't they
done anything?", I asked, "If I remember correctly I should
feel those things for the first person I see..".

     I looked carefully at Kasumi and then Akane, "Well,
obviously it's not working", I said, "Since I'm not feeling
any different towards the two of you".

     Akane murmered something that sounded like 'Thank God'
and I frowned at her.  "What's the suppose to mean?", I
demanded.

     Kasumi took my hand carefully, "Brett, you didn't see
either of us first", she said gently.

     I scrathed my head, "I didn't?", I asked.

     "You saw an old friend, someone that you are quite close
to", Kasumi explained.

     "I did?", I asked in amazement, "Who was it?".

     Kasumi and Akane exchanged a long glance, "Before we tell
you, please promise that you won't hurt or in anyway injure
them", Kasumi asked firmly.

     I looked at her in disbelief, "Me??!?!", I said in a
wounded voice, "I'd never hurt anyone!".

     "Promise!", Kasumi insisted.

     I shook my head, "I'm afraid I'm not allowed to promise
you anything on the mortal world", I said (luckily remembering
that rule).

     "Then promise me!", came a voice from the door.

     I looked up to see Belldandy standing in the doorway,
"G'day Belldandy!", I greeted her warmly, "What brings you
here?".

     "You do", she said firmly, "Now since you can't make that
promise to your mortal friends... how about to me?".

     I thought for a moment, "Sure, I promise I won't hurt
anyone", I promised.

     A second later Urd stepped through the door behind her
sister.  "YOU!", I shouted, bounding forward I summoned my
epee.

     Urd involuntarily took a step back and I moved in for the
kill.  Then I realised what I was doing and brought myself to
a stop.  "You don't mean *her*?", I demanded of Kasumi and
Akane, gesturing at Urd with my sword.

     Shakily Akane nodded and I forced away another urge to
run my hated enemy through.  I banished the sword and forced
myself to walk across the room and sit down.  "What are we
going to do about this?", I said, keeping my voice level with
an effort.

     Belldandy and Urd exchanged a quick nod and I was
relieved to note that Belldandy stepped forward to talk to me,
"We're going to try and reverse the effects of the potions",
she said, "It's probably best if you stay here for now".

     I nodded, "That stays in line with Kasumi's wish", I
replied, "So how long is this going to take?".

     "That depends on how long it takes me to refine an
anitdote", Urd called from where she was examining an empty
potion bottle.

     I ignored her and looked at Belldandy, "How long is it
going to take you?", I asked carefully.

     Urd looked up indignantly at being ignored, "Not too long
I hope", Belldandy answered quickly.

     I nodded and kept my eyes on the floor, keeping well away
from looking at Urd.  The two Goddesses talked for a moment
with Akane and Kasumi, before Belldandy turned and waved
goodbye.  I managed a half-hearted wave, but stopped the
moment I noticed Urd wave back.  I turned my back on her and
waited until the flash of their departure had faded.

     Forcing a smile I turned back to the two Tendo ladies,
"Well, now that this unpleasentness is over and done with,
perhaps we should try and repair this place a bit?", I said.

                                  ******

     Happosai was pacing back and forth in front of the
shackeled Demon.  The Demon was watching him carefully, "Why
are you still here you old pervert?", it hissed angrily.

     Happosai was puffing on his pipe as he walked, "I'm just
looking at my folly", Happosai replied in a calm voice.

     The Demon looked confused, "Pardon me?", it asked.

     Happosai stopped and sat down, "Oh, I must be getting too
old, picking on someone I can't beat", he sighed, "Maybe I
should retire...".

     The Demon snorted, "*YOU*?? retire??", it scoffed,
"You'll probably be chasing after girls even after your
dead!".

     Happosai sighed, "It seems to be my lot in life", he
agreed, "I just wish I could have taught that young man a
lesson he'd never forget!".

     The Demon licked it's lips, "Well, we *might* be able to
make a deal", it offered.

     "How?", Happosai asked, looking interested.

     The Demon lowered it's head, "Well, obviously one such as
myself is no match for even a lesser god... but *my* master
is", it explained.

     "Your master?", Happosai asked.

     "Tupnixua is my master", the Demon explained, "He's a
Devil".

     "A Devil?", Happosai said in amazement, "You mean I could
really command something that powerful?".

     The Demon shrugged, "I could change places with him if
you like, I'm sure he'll more than live up to my contract", it
suggested.

     Happosai nodded, "Very well, bring your master here to do
my bidding", he ordered.

     The Demon smiled evilly, "You asked for it mortal!", it
proclaimed.  There was a wash of blackness and a moment later
the hideous Demon was replaced by a creature straight from the
very depths of hell, "Did I hear something about a deal?", it
asked in a voice that brought a chill to Happosai's heart.

                                  ******

     Mixing potions had always been one of Urd's favourite
pastimes, getting that perfect blending of each element took
years of painstaking practice.  "DAMN IT!", Urd shouted
angrily.  Her fifth attempt at an antidote for the hate potion
had met with a dismal failure.

     Skuld yawned and looked up sleepily from where she'd been
sitting, "What's wrong this time?", she grumbled.

     "The consistency isn't right, it's not potent enough to
make a difference", Urd said wearily.

     Skuld looked at the time, it was late even by Urd's
standards.  "How about we get some rest and pick this up in
the morning?", Skuld suggested.

     Urd began rummaging around in her notes, "I'll give it
one more try.. I'm sure that I can get it right if I just..",
she broke off as Skuld gently but firmly reached over and shut
her notebook.

     "What?", Urd asked defensively.

     "Stop it!", Skuld said sharply.

     Urd frowned, "Stop what?", she asked.

     Skuld sighed, "Stop blaming yourself for what happened!",
she said firmly.

     Urd sighed, "Well if you think about it... it really is
my fault, I shouldn't have left my potions alone like that",
she admitted softly.

     Skuld shook her head, "It was an accident.. there's no
way you could have know that girl would start pouring them
down his throat", she argued.

     Urd smiled sadly, "Accident's aren't suppose to happen to
us.. remember??", she said.

     Skuld frowned, "So you're saying it wasn't an accident...
then why was it allowed?", she asked.

     "As near as I can tell, Brett is suppose to stay with
Kasumi, since I'm living here and he hates me, the only place
left for him to live is with Kasumi", Urd explained.

     "So your saying that the reason he happened to drink the
potions was to keep him with Kasumi?", Skuld asked.

     Urd nodded, "I can't see any other reason", she replied.

     Skuld bit her bottom lip, "Well if that's the case
*should* you be trying to reverse the potion? I mean if it's
fate that he remains with her...", Skuld began.

     Urd shook her head violently, "No, I won't have Brett
going through the rest of his life hating me!", she declared
angrily, "I won't!!".

     Skuld sighed, "I wondered how long it would take.. now
I'm the only one left", she said quietly.

     Urd looked at her strangely, "What are you talking
about?", she demanded.

     Skuld looked up at her with a disgruntled expression,
"First Belldandy and now you.... I wonder how long I'll last",
she mused.

     "Last against what?", Urd asked frowning.

     "These mortal men", Skuld said, "I mean if *you* can fall
in love... *anyone* can".

     Urd blushed slightly, "I don't know what you're talking
about, Brett's just a friend", she argued.

     Skuld nodded, "Sure he is", she said sarcastically, "But
I know that you don't get *this* worked up over 'just a
friend' - Brett is something else to you".

     Urd bit her lower lip nervously, "I made too many
mistakes with him when we first me for him to consider me in
that way", she admitted, "But I certainly don't want him
hating me".

     Skuld shrugged, "Whatever", she said, "You can deny it
all you like... but if I might make a suggestion, get some
rest, you'll be no use in finding a cure if you are half-
asleep".

     Urd watched her sister walk from the room.  "She's
smarter than I thought", Urd thought suddenly.  Then realising
that her little sister was right, she went to her room and
stretched out on the bed.  But sleep wouldn't come, the image
in her mind of an enraged young man kept her awake until
almost dawn.

                                  ******

     I was just relaxing in the loungeroom with a cup of tea
when a scream echoed through the house, "BRETT!!!!", shouted
Ranma angrily, "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!?!?!?!?!".

     I steeled myself as Ranma walked into the room, "Oh..
G'day Ranma", I greeted her cautiously, she'd been missing for
two days.

     Ranma gave me a chill gaze, "Don't 'G'day' me!", she
replied, "I want you to make me normal! NOW!".

     "Even a god would have trouble with *that*", Nabiki
commented from the doorway.

     Ranma didn't even spare her a glance, she continued to
look straight at me, "Well?", she asked.

     "Well... I'm afraid I can't do that", I replied, eyeing
her cautiously.

     "YOU WHAT?!?!?!", she screamed, stepping forward and
placing a threatening fist in my face, "You'd better change me
back or I'll make you sorry you ever came here!".

     "Too late", I murmured.  Looking at the *very* upset
young lady (well.. sort of) standing in front of me I sighed,
"I'd help you if I could Ranma, but that spell I cast on you
prevents *all* magic from altering your form.. including
mine", I explained.

     "Well.. work out a way to fix it", she insisted.

     I shook my head, "I'm afraid you'll have to wait till it
wears off", I explained, "I can't break my own spell in that
way".

     Ranma looked dejected and hung her head sadly, "Come
on!", I said, "It's not so bad... ".

     "What do you know of how bad it is?", Ranma demanded,
"You haven't experienced anything remotely like this!".

     I gave her a serious look, "You don't think it's a
change, going from a mortal to a god?", I asked, "Let me tell
you.. these marks on my forehead mean aren't for show.. I'm no
longer me... I had to leave everything I knew behind to take
up this life!".  I noticed that Ranma had lost her angry
expression and was looking at me curiously.

     "Look Ranma", I said firmly, "I would help you if I
could, but I'm afraid that I can't at the moment, once the
spell wears off you'll be back to normal".

     "Or as normal as he can get", Nabiki added.

     Ranma tossed her an annoyed glance and sighed, leaving
the room.  I glanced over to Nabiki, "What do you want?", I
asked her bluntly.

     She blinked and then smiled, "So you *are* a god?", she
asked.

     I nodded, "As if I hadn't given away enough hints
already!", I said sarcastically.

     "So tell me", Nabiki asked, "What's it worth for the
world not to find out about you?".

     I thought for a moment, "You ever been a toad before?", I
asked jokingly.

     Nabiki paled slightly and I rolled my eyes, "I was just
kidding.. I don't turn people into toads", I admitted.

     "So what's it like?", Nabiki asked softly.

     I frowned at her, "What's what like?", I asked.

     Nabiki waved a hand in my general direction, "You
know...", she said.

     I nodded, "Well, it seems like I left behind a lot of
problems.. only to take on double the amount", I admitted,
"The only bright spot has been the people I've met, Belldandy,
Keiichi, Skuld.. they've all made it worthwhile".

     Nabiki looked curious, "What about Urd?", she asked.

     I gritted my teeth, "Well, I remember that she's treated
me alright - for the most part - but at the moment I'm not
exactly happy with her", I said firmly.

     Nabiki nodded, "That's the hate potion talking", she
guessed.

     I nodded, "Probably", I allowed.

     Nabiki stood, "Well Mr God", she said teasingly, "I'll
leave you to your almighty thoughts".

     "Thank you, mortal!", I said sarcastically.  Nabiki
walked out of the room with a smile on her face and I went
back to thinking over my current situation.  If Kasumi was to
have something worthwhile from her wish, I had to organise a
boyfriend for her.  I sighed in frustration, matchmaking
wasn't something I was terribly good at.  "If only Urd where
here...", I began.  Then I stopped myself, realising that I
was thinking of *her* again.

     I stood and walked to the door, looking out over the
small pond.  That was something unusual, Urd had never been
far from my thoughts in the last few days and I couldn't seem
to equate my feelings of hostility with her - I felt
uncontrollable anger when I heard her name spoken, but for no
reason.  I remembered that I was suppose to take her out on a
date this Wednesday and the thought turned my stomach.  But in
the back of my mind I realised that I'd been looking forward
to the date for the last week or so.

     I went into the kitchen and found Kasumi busily preparing
dinner.  I picked up a knife and began pealing potatoes,
relaxing with that familiar duty.  After I'd finished the
potatoes I began working on some other parts of the meal, in
no time I found that I'd ran out of things to do.  Kasumi
nodded in thanks and I suddenly realised why she enjoyed
cooking so much.  It was relaxing and in this kind of
household, anything that relaxed you was good.

     Dinner was a subdued affair, Ranma still ate as much as
always, but didn't respond to any of Akane's taunts.  After
she had finished eating she went back upstairs, downcast and
depressed.  I felt rather guilty about the whole thing, but
didn't really have anything that I could do that would help
the situation.  I helped Kasumi clear off the dishes and clean
up a little, before the two of us sat down and tried to work
things out.

     The two of us were sitting overlooking the pond, "So when
are you leaving?", Kasumi asked seriously.

     I frowned at her, "I'm not sure", I admitted, "But I
can't stay here forever...".

     Kasumi nodded, "I understand", she said quietly.

     I looked at the sad expression on her face and took hold
of her chin, firmly turning her head so she was looking at me,
"No.. I don't think you do", I said firmly, "Why do you think
I'm leaving?".

     "Obviously", Kasumi said, pulling slightly away, "You
don't like living here... you've been attacked constantly.. I
would have thought it obvious".

     I smiled, "Look Kasumi, the fact is.. *if* I was really
your boyfriend, I'm sure I could put up with all that", I
explained, "But I'm not, I have responsibilities that I can't
ignore and I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to stay
here".

     Kasumi's eye's brightened momentarily, "You *would*
stay?", she asked hopefully.

     I gave her a fond smiled, "Of course I would", I said
firmly, "But you've got to remember, I'm not free to make that
choice".

     She nodded sadly, "Well.. thank you anyway", she said,
"It's nice to know that I'm not completely unattractive to
men".

     I laughed out loud, "Kasumi I don't think you could be
unattractive if you tried! you only have to take one look at
that Doctor to tell you that!", I exclaimed.

     Kasumi frowned, "What do you mean?", she asked curiously.

     I paused, "You mean you haven't noticed?", I asked.

     Kasumi shook her head and I grinned a little
uncomfortably.  "Well", I began, "When I mentioned your name
to Dr Tofu, he seemed to become rather distracted... ".

     Kasumi frowned, "Why on earth would you think that means
anything?", she asked curiously.

     "Well", I explained, "When a guy becomes *that*
distracted, it usually means he's fallen pretty bad".  Seeing
her blank expression I gave her a friendly punch on the
shoulder, "He's stuck on *you*", I confirmed.

     Kasumi looked shocked, "What are you talking about??!",
she demanded, "Dr Tofu has been a friend of the family for
years... he's our doctor!".

     I gave her an innocent expression, "And that means he
can't have feelings?", I asked.

     Kasumi shook her head, "I'm sure you must have been
mistaken", she argued, "He couldn't be in love with me".

     "You don't like him?", I asked, genuinely curious.

     Kasumi blushed slightly, "Well.. I mean I never thought
about it...", she said nervously.

     I realised that she probably didn't feel comfortable
talking to me about it so I stood, "If you don't believe me..
ask Nabiki.. I'm sure for a small fee she'd be willing to
confirm everything I've said", I walked away smiling.  It
looked like there might be a way out after all.

     I was walking across to the Dojo when a blur of grey
appeared in my path.  Stopping suddenly at the warning, I
jumped backwards as a horde of weapons impacted into the
ground where I'd been standing.  "Ranma!!!", shouted Mousse,
"What have you done with my beloved Shampoo!?!?!?!".

     He landed a few feet from me and I sighed, "Mousse.. put
your glasses on!", I ordered.

     He lowered the huge lenses and then frowned, "You're not
Ranma.. where's Ranma!??!", he demanded.

     "What's he done this time?", I asked.

     "He's kidnapped Shampoo!!", Mousse replied angrily, "Now
tell me where he is!".

     I shook my head, "Mousse.. Ranma wouldn't do that.. now
what's happened?", I asked.

     He frowned, "About an hour ago, Shampoo was busy in the
kitchen, cooking ramen when I heard an unusual noise... anyway
I went in to see what was wrong, only to find signs of a
struggle and her missing!", he explained.

     "Well, that lets Ranma off straight away", I pointed out,
"You think she would be struggling if he were taking her
away?".

     Mousse thought for a moment and then nodded, "But who
else could defeat her?", he replied.  I thought about it for a
moment and then shrugged, "Have you talked to Cologne about
it?", I asked.

     Mousse scratched his head, "She's on a trip back to the
village", he said.

     "Now who on earth would have a grudge against Shampoo?",
I wondered.  Even as I said it I realised that there were
probably a number of people that fitted that description. 
Thankfully I didn't have to wait long for an answer.

     "Oh... not a grudge, just a need!", a voice from above
announced.

     I bounded out of the way as a large figure jumped down
from the garden wall.  I whispered a quick spell and encased
myself in a shield, "Who are you?!?", I demanded, "and why are
you here?!?!".

     "I am known as Tupnixua", the figure replied, "And I am
here to teach you a lesson".

     I gave it a speculative look, "And how are you going to
do that?", I asked.

     Tupnixua pointed a finger at Mousse and a web of sticky
fibres suddenly shot from it's hand, encasing the startled
Mousse in a thick net.  "By making you wish You'd never been
born!", it enthused.  Then it brought it's fist around and
punched my shield as hard as it could.  I found myself flying
through the air, smashing through trees and the odd wall. 
Finally the shield managed to right itself and I looked up to
see a figure flapping off into the darkness.

     "I think we have a problem", I muttered, restating the
obvious.

                                  ******

     "Mousse??", Ranma asked curiously, "as well as Shampoo?".

     I nodded, "As far as I can tell, this Devil looks like
it's going after those that have curses", I warned her.

     "Me!?!?!", Ranma scoffed recognising my hint, "If this
Tupnixua or whatever comes near me he'll regret it".

     "Not 'he'", I corrected, "*it* - this thing is about as
far from being human as you can get".

     Ranma shrugged, "Whatever... I've yet to meet someone
that can't be defeated", she stated firmly, "So I'm sure I'll
think of something".

     I gave her a quizzical look, "Why *you*?", I asked, "I'm
pretty sure that it mentioned that it was trying to get at
me".

     Ranma shrugged, "Well, obviously you'll be no match for
it", she explained, "You can't even fight...".

     I sighed, "Ranma", I said firmly, "Fighting isn't the be-
all and end-all of existence, just because I can't fight it
physically, doesn't mean that I can't fight with magic".

     "Oh, I've seen your magic", she said, looking pointed at
her breasts, "And I'm not impressed".

     I sighed and nodded to Ranma to follow me inside, "If
we're going to fight a Devil, I'd better let my friends know",
I explained.

     I grabbed up the phone and dialled the number for the
temple.  It rang a few times and then phone went dead and I
looked around nervously, "Err... I think we may have a bigger
problem", I announced.

     At that moment the lights went out and the room was
plunged into darkness, a tortured scream echoed from upstairs
and I heard Ranma rush quickly (if a little awkwardly in the
dark) up the stairs.  I followed a little more slowly.

     We arrived in the guest room where we'd layed out Ryouga
after his fight with Ranma, it was empty and there was a large
hole in the wall.  I tapped Ranma on the shoulder and gestured
that we should get back out into the corridor.  She nodded and
we backed out of the room, "I can't believe that *thing* took
out Ryouga so quickly", Ranma admitted a little shakily.

     "We've got to get everyone together, downstairs", I said
quickly, "I *should* be able to protect us from him".

     Ranma gave me a speculative look, "*Should*?", she asked.

     "Just find everyone that's left and get them together in
the Dojo", I said, "I'm going to take a quick trip home and
try to get some help".

     Ranma nodded and I dumped a watch on the ground, quickly
chanting a transport spell I stepped into it.

                                  ******


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            E-Mail: darkwnd@sv.net.au
   Web Page: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind

  "Imagination is more important than knowledge"

                             -Albert Einstein
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