Subject: The Oh My God Series - Series 2 - Part 5
From: Brett Handy
Date: 4/10/1997, 6:48 AM
To: "'fanfic@fanfic.com'" <fanfic@fanfic.com>

                                  ******

     I appeared in my room at the temple and rushed out into
the corridor, "Yo! anyone around?!?", I called.

     I got a muffled yell from the loungeroom and I walked in,
"I think we've got some bigger problems now", I began.  Then I
broke off, noticing the person in the room for the first time. 
It was Urd.  I clenched my teeth, "Where are Belldandy and
Skuld?", I asked sharply.

     She shrugged, "Skuld's asleep and Belldandy's out with
Keiichi", she answered.

     I nodded, "I would appreciate it if you could wake her
and get in contact with Belldandy", I forced myself to say
politely.

     Urd nodded and went to wake up her little sister, "She
sure doesn't act like my worst enemy", I reminded myself
quietly.

     A few moments later Skuld appeared, rubbing her eye's
sleepily, "This had better be good", she grumbled.

     I made some tea and by the time I'd finished, Belldandy
had reappeared, "What's wrong?", she asked, after sipping on
the tea.

     "I'm afraid that somehow, a *Devil* has been released", I
explained, "It said that it's here to 'teach me a lesson'".

     "What?!?!", Urd exclaimed, "Why would a Devil be after
you?".

     I gave her a peeved look, "Like I'm suppose to know!", I
said sharply.

     Urd's face took on a blank look, "Well, do you know
anyone that might be powerful enough to summon up a Devil?",
she asked calmly.

     "Present company accepted, no", I said, looking at her
meaningful.

     Belldandy set down her cup with a sharp clink, it was the
first expression of near-anger I'd ever seen from her, "That's
enough Brett", she said firmly, "None of us would do that, and
you know it!".

     I shrugged a little guiltily, "If that's right, then I
don't know who would be after me", I admitted, a little
sullenly.

     Skuld looked thoughtful, "What's the Devil's name?", she
asked.

     "Tupnixua", I replied, "and I have to admit I've never
heard of it before".

     The three Goddesses exchanged a concerned glance, "And
what's it done so far?", Belldandy asked.

     I explained the disappearances back in Nerima and they
nodded, "It'll try to use them as sacrifices", Belldandy said
in a sick voice, "To bring more of its kind into the world".

     I nodded, "Well, what can I about it?", I asked, "I have
to rescue the people it's kidnapped before something horrible
happens to them".

     "First we have to work out where it is", Urd reminded me.

     I gave her an annoyed glance, "Alright, and how do I do
that?", I snapped angrily.

     "We'll work something out and let you know", Belldandy
assured me, "You should probably get back and try to protect
the others".

     I nodded and stood, "Thanks for the help Belldandy", I
said as I stepped through the clock on the wall.

                                  ******

     Neither Belldandy or Skuld missed the angry glance that
Brett gave Urd as he transported out.  Apparently Urd didn't
either and she slumped down at the table, resting her head in
her hands.

     Skuld sighed, "How is the antidote going?", Skuld asked
quickly.

     Urd shook her head, "I've made one up, but I don't know
how successful it'll be", she admitted.

     Skuld forced a smile, "Well at least this time he didn't
try to kill you!", she said brightly.

     Urd nodded sadly, "Yes, that's true", she said in a small
voice.

     Belldandy gave her sister an encouraging smile, "When you
think about it, it is a good sign", she said firmly, "Maybe
it's time to try one of your potions?".

     Urd thought for a moment, "I think you had better give it
to him", she said quietly, "Cause I doubt he'd drink something
if I offered it to him".

                                  ******

     I eyed the potion that Belldandy was offering me
suspiciously, "Where did you get that from?", I asked
cautiously.

     Belldandy smiled, "Just try it", she encouraged.

     I sipped a little and grimaced, "That's horrible!", I
exclaimed, "It tastes worse that Akane's latest attempt at
soup".

     Ranma placed a hand on my shoulder, "I feel for you", she
said firmly, "Anything *that* bad would be almost impossible
to drink".

     Genma smacked his son in the back of the head, "That's no
way to talk about your fiance!", he bellowed.

     Ranma rubbed the back of her head and gave him a sullen
glace, "You didn't hit him!", she accused her father.

     Genma looked at me worriedly, "Yes, well... when you
defeat Happosai, I'll stop hitting you too", he said.  Ranma
grumbled that she'd already defeated Happosai any number of
times. 

     I looked at the vial and shuddered, "Here goes!', I said,
upending the vial.

     The taste hit me strongly and I shuddered convulsively. 
"Ohhh... that was awful", I groaned.

     Belldandy nodded, "Now... do you still hate Urd?", she
asked.

     I felt a chill run through me, "Err.. no, of course I
don't hate Urd", I replied.

     Suddenly the door to the room burst open and Urd hurried
in, "Thank goodness", she said, "I was beginning to wonder if
I'd mixed the potion wrong".

     I edged away from Urd slightly, standing a little behind
Belldandy, "Thank you Urd", I said, forcing a smile.

     Urd noticed me keeping my distance from her and frowned,
"What's wrong now?", she asked in an exasperated voice.

     "Nothing, Nothing", I assured her quickly, "Everything's
fine, don't get upset".

     "Oh!", Urd said, snapping her fingers, "The fear
potion!".  I winced reflexively as she snapped her fingers, 
Ranma and her father frowned. "What do you mean, didn't you
cancel out the potions?", Ranma asked.

     Urd shook her head, "No, each potion needs to be
cancelled separately", she explained, "At the moment it's
probably taking all of Brett's willpower to even remain in the
same room as me".

     I edged further behind Belldandy, making sure I had a
clear run to the door.  Belldandy looked at me and smiled,
"Don't worry Brett", she said in a reassuring voice, "You have
no need to be scared of Urd".

     I shook my head, "Nope.. no reason at all... but I am", I
replied.  I straightened a little, "I'm not going to run
away", I said in what I hoped was a firm voice, "Just so long
as Urd remembers to keep her distance".

     Urd sighed, "Alright Brett", she said, "I'll keep away
from you".  I noticed an expression of deep sadness pass over
her face, then she turned, "I'm going to get back to the
temple and see what I can do about this fear potion", she
announced.

     I noticed that Belldandy was watching sadly as her sister
walked away and I gave her a quizzical glance, "Are you
alright?", I asked.

     She nodded, her eyes still on Urd, "Yes Brett, I am quite
alright", she said.

                                  ******

     Skuld was bored.  She'd arrived at the Tendo Dojo
expecting a fight and what did she get?

     "Kasumi which of these is ripe?", Akane asked, holding up
two tomatoes.

     Skuld sighed, she'd been talked into keeping an eye on
the rest of the family, while Belldandy and Brett took care of
Ranma and Genma.  She glanced across at Soun Tendo, he was
sitting calmly reading his paper.  "I wish I could be so
relaxed", she thought to herself.

     Skuld idly flicked through the latest issue of OMNI,
smiling at the simple, yet compelling designs this month. 
Nabiki was flicking through another magazine, grumbling at the
declining value of the Yen over the last quarter.

     "We're done", Kasumi announced, as she and Akane walked
up with two full shopping bags each.

     Soun raised his eyebrows, "That seems like a rather large
amount of shopping this week", he commented.

     Kasumi nodded, "Well, since we're having so many guests,
I thought that we'd best be prepared", she explained.

     Skuld stood, "Well, come on", she said impatiently,
"Let's get moving".

     The Tendo family watched as the young Goddess quickly
walked out of the shop.  "Does she seem a little young to any
of you?", Akane asked awkwardly.

     Nabiki nodded, "She can't be much older than 13", she
commented.

     Kasumi smiled brilliantly, "I think she reminds me of
another young lady at that age", she said, looking fondly at
Akane.

     The four Tendos caught up quickly to Skuld, who waited
impatiently beside the road.  "So what's the hurry?", Nabiki
asked Skuld curiously.

     "I don't want to miss out on the fun", she replied
bluntly.

     "Fun?", Akane asked.

     Skuld nodded, "Brett's pretty sure that Tupnixua is going
to go after your boyfriend soon", she replied.

     Akane blushed, "That pervert is *NOT* my boyfriend!", she
said angrily.

     Soun nodded, "Certainly not", he said, "He's her
fiancee".

     "DAD!", Akane protested.

     Skuld looked bored, "Whatever!", she said, cutting off
the conversation.

     They were silent for the rest of the walk home, Skuld
walking far in advance of the Tendo family.  They walked up to
the front door of the temple and Skuld stopped suddenly. 
"Hmmm", she murmured, "Look's like the wards are up".

     Akane looked closely at the front door, "I can't see
anything", she protested.

     Skuld gave her a condescending look, "You aren't suppose
to", she said, "But the Devil certainly will".

     Akane gingerly pushed open the door, expecting something
unpleasant to happen.  Skuld shook her head, "No, you mortals
don't have to worry about it, it'll only effect Demons/Devils
or any other evil creature attempting to enter the house", she
explained.

     "We're back!", Akane called as she walked into the house.

     "In here", came Brett's call from the loungeroom.

     Kasumi and Akane were putting the shopping away, when a
wail echoed through the house.  It was a wail that they'd both
her often enough.  "Father?", Akane called, running into the
living room.

     Soun was sitting in the middle of the now empty room,
crying furiously.  Ranma and Genma were sitting in the middle
of the room.  All the furnishings had been removed and there
were strange designs inscribed all over the floor, ceiling and
walls.  Ranma and Genma were sitting in the middle of a large
pentagram, that glowed slightly.  Brett and Belldandy were
just finishing painting a pattern on one of the windows when
Soun came in.

     "Oh, don't worry", Brett said, "We can clean all this up
in no time, once the Devil is dealt with".

     Soun settled down and eyed Genma regretfully, "Saotome!",
he said firmly, "You must do you best to ensure your son's
survival!".

     Genma nodded solemnly, "Of course Tendo", he said,
placing an arm around Ranma, "Nothing will happen to him while
I'm around".

     Ranma gave her father a curious look, "Wow Pop", she said
in an amazed voice, "I never knew you cared..".

     Tendo looked at Ranma seriously, "Of course we care,
son", he said, "If anything happens to you, our families can't
be joined!".

     Ranma grabbed her father's arm and calmly threw him
across the room.  He came down on top of Soun, "Now that's the
kinda talk I *don't* need to hear", he said angrily, "As if
I'd marry that Tomboy anyway!".

     "Tomboy?", Akane asked, her face enraged,
"TOMBOY!?!?!?!?".  Akane took two steps and then punted Ranma
into the ceiling.  Amazingly, this time the ceiling didn't let
him through and he stuck to it like a pancake.

     "That's never happened before", she noted absently.

     Brett, who was trying to quietly explain things to
Belldandy (she seemed a little disturbed for some reason),
looked up at her observation, "Oh, I magically enhanced the
strength of the roof, floor and walls, it's to keep the Demon
out", he explained.

     Ranma dropped from the ceiling and lay still on the
floor, "Now he tells us", she groaned quietly.

     "I'll get started on dinner now", Kasumi announced.

     Belldandy looked up, "Would you like some help?", she
asked, smiling.

     Kasumi nodded and the two of them went off into the
kitchen, discussing what would be the best to prepare for
tonight's meal.  Brett peeled Ranma off the floor and sat her
down in the middle of the room, "Stay here", he ordered,
"You're safer in the Pentagram".

     Genma (who had picked himself up off the floor), looked
around nervously and quickly moved into the middle of the
design.  Brett sat down against one wall, "Now that we've got
the two of you safe, we've got to work out how we're going to
get the other's back", he began.

     Ranma looked up, "We do?", she said in a disappointed
tone.

     "Of course we do!", Akane insisted, "Ryouga may be in
trouble.. and while I don't like Shampoo much... I don't think
even she deserves to be sacrificed by a Devil".

     Ranma sighed, "I guess your right", she said, "I thought
I'd just gotten rid of three of my biggest problems".

                                  ******

     I knocked hesitantly on Urd's door.  It was taking
everything I had just to stand there.  "Come in", said Urd in
a weary tone.

     I hesitated for a long second, before sliding the door
open.  "Err... Good evening?", I said timidly.

     Urd looked up from where she was mixing a potion,
"Brett?", she said in disbelief, "What are you doing here?".

     I smiled a little nervously, "Well, I thought you might
like a little dinner", I said, holding out a tray in front of
me.

     "You did?", she asked, "Or Belldandy?".

     I nodded, "Belldandy asked if I'd bring this back here",
I explained, "She thought that if I spent some time in your
presence it might help".

     "And you agreed?", she asked curiously, "I thought you
were afraid of me?".

     I nodded, "Yes", I admitted, "I'm quite scared at the
moment".

     Urd frowned, "Then why did you agree to bring it?", she
asked, taking the tray and sitting down.

     I unconsciously moved to the opposite side of the room to
where she was sitting, casually looking at a few potions.
"Well", I began, "I thought Belldandy was right".

     "You did?", Urd asked, as she opened the cover on the
tray and inhaled the magnificent smell of the dinner.

     I nodded, "I can still remember all the things that's
happened to me", I explained carefully, "And I can't find any
reason I'd be *this* scared of you".

     "What's that suppose to mean?", Urd asked, through a
mouthful of food, "You mean you do have reasons for being
scared of me?".

     I nodded, "You remember what you said about the potions,
that they only enhance the feeling for the individual in
question?", I asked.

     Urd nodded, "So?", she said.

     I paced back and forth a little nervously, "Well, since I
you explained that, I've been doing some thinking", I
explained, "If it enhances emotion then I must have had those
feelings about you before...".

     Urd sighed, "You mean you hated me?", she asked in a
quiet voice.

     I nodded, "Yes, I did", I admitted, then noticing her sad
expression I held up a hand, "If you remember, I didn't take
too well to the 'Okuda Incident'".

     "I understand", Urd said, turning back to her work,
"Thank you for the dinner, if I'm going to work out a cure for
this fear potion, I'd better get moving".

     I nodded and picked up the tray, moving over to the door,
"But I want you to know Urd", I said firmly, "The potion
brought out a side of me that *I'd* rather not see... and.. I
really do consider you my friend now".  With that, I closed
the door quietly and took the tray back to the Tendo's place.

                                  ******

     Urd sat for a long moment after the door closed.  She
stood and walked over to the window and looked out, "How could
I have been so stupid?", she asked herself.

     She had no excuse to offer and she knew it.  But she had
wanted to get to know Brett and the easiest way was to become
his friend.  Unfortunately, Urd had decided that he would
probably be more open to a male friend and used a disguise
spell to fool him into thinking that 'Okuda' was a guy.  In
the few months they had been (to use Brett's words) 'mates',
she had learned a few things about the young Australian. 
Sometimes she wondered how she could have misjudged him so
badly at their first meeting, dismissing him as 'just another
upstart mortal'.

     She looked up at the stars and thought again of their
time in heaven, he had seemed quite distant after what had
happened to him in Hell and Urd was surprised when he had been
willing to talk to her about it.  In the weeks following his
encounter with Nilthar, she had been amazed at how easily
she'd gone back into the role of his friend and how he had
accepted it without a problem.

     Closing the window she walked back across the room and
sat down in front of her notes, "Hmmm..", she said, thinking
of something unusual, "Why would he be afraid of me? I've
never given him reason to be...".

                                  ******

     I smiled as I washed up the dishes from tonight's meal,
I'd cleared the air with Urd and felt better for it. 
"Brett?", Skuld asked (she had volunteered to help clean up
with me), "How did things go with Urd?".

     I passed her another dish to dry, "Why do you ask?", I
asked her curiously.

     Skuld shrugged, "I was curious as to why you'd want to go
near her at all", she admitted, "Aren't you really afraid of
her?".

     I nodded, "Oh, I'm afraid of her alright", I admitted,
"But I'm not afraid for my life or anything like that".

     Skuld frowned, "What other kind of fear is there?", she
asked.

     I stopped washing for a moment and thought, "The feeling
isn't one of fearing for my life.. it's more... ", the words
were difficult, "Fearing for myself".

     "Yourself?", Skuld asked, "What do you mean?".

     I passed her another dish to dry, "I don't know", I said,
"I'm not really sure how I'm feeling... ".

     "Well, you just remember that she's my sister and if you
hurt her you'll have to answer to me!", Skuld said firmly.

     I gave her a puzzled look, "I'm over the hate potion,
it's not like I'm going to try and kill her again!", I
protested.

     She finished drying the last dish and walked out of the
room, "It's not that kind of hurting I'm referring to", she
said cryptically.

                                  ******

     Happosai had a resigned expression on his face after
Tupnixua locked the cell door.  He had tried to talk the Devil
out of going after Ranma and Genma, but the creature had been
adamant, everyone with a curse had to be captured.

     He looked over at Shampoo and Mousse, they were caged and
in their cursed forms.  Ryouga was lying unconscious on the
floor, the water that the Devil had thrown on him appeared to
have no effect.  Tupnixua had grumbled something about
'interfering godlings' and stormed out of the cell.

     Happosai had never considered himself evil, just
misunderstood in a rather large way.  He'd tried to instruct
his students in the joys to be found in letting your feelings
run free, not holding back anything.  It got him into trouble,
but he figured that leading a 'stress free' life had been the
reason he had lived so long.  Of course he lost his temper
occasionally, most notably when Ranma interfered with his
schemes, but he'd never tried to kill anyone deliberately or
go beyond his own moral code (as perverted as some would call
it).  Finally, his decision made, Happosai pulled a small
implement from his clothing and began working quietly on the
bars of the cages.

                                  ******

     A demonic scream of rage, echoed throughout the Tendo
home.  I sat bolt upright and got to my feet, Ranma and Genma
also jumped to their feet but I held up a hand, "NO!", I said,
"Don't leave the circle, if you do, you'll be in trouble".

     I whispered another spell and my epee appeared and my
clothing changed into a tight-fitting form of armour.  Rolling
my shoulders I tried to settle the body armour into place. 
The armour had been made for me by Chia-Yao, the God of Truth. 
It was a Christmas gift from him, which I'd not had an
opportunity to use.

     The rest of the family came running into the room,
followed by Belldandy and Skuld, "What the hell was that?",
Nabiki demanded.

     I exchanged a glance with Belldandy and she nodded, "It
was that Devil", I confirmed, "It sounds like it just came
across our first ward".

     There was a detonation in the distance and I knew that
our first ward hadn't stopped it.  "It's through into this
part of town", I warned them.

     "Skuld, take the Tendo's out to the Dojo", I said,
"Tupinuxa will be coming here, it shouldn't bother you".

     Skuld looked like she wanted to protest, but a stern look
from Belldandy silenced her before she could.  Akane looked
like she wanted to stay as well, but Kasumi placed a hand on
her shoulder, "Come on Akane, I'm sure that everything will be
alright", she said.

     Akane nodded and took a long look at Ranma, "Good luck",
she said quietly.

     Ranma grinned at her, "Hey!", she said, "It's me! I don't
need luck".

     Akane managed a small smile before she followed her
sisters and father out of the room.  Belldandy summoned her
staff and also changed into armour, "Do you think you'll be
able to stop it?", Genma asked worriedly.

     I gave him a smile, "So long as you stay in the circle,
the two of you have nothing to worry about", I reassured him.

     Another detonation echoed in the distance, this one
closer than the first, "He'll be outside the front door soon",
Belldandy said, "Where did you want to meet him?".

     "How about just inside the front entry?", I asked, "You
take one side and I'll take the other?".

     Belldandy nodded, "Good luck", she said.

     "Right back at you!", I replied.

     The two of us took up flanking positions, either side of
the front door.  Waiting for the Demon to defeat our wards. 
He did it in spectacular fashion, the front door to the house,
blowing open in a whirlwind of splinters and flames.  The
armour allowed me to largely ignore the explosion and I lunged
forward at the creature.

     It danced backward and parried my blade with it's claws. 
I recovered from my lunge and stood back as Belldandy swung at
it with her staff.  She rammed her staff into it's head and it
was blown back outside.  She nodded to me and the two of us
raced outside, pursuing the fleeing devil.

     As it ran I managed to get in a good stab at one of it's
legs and it fell to the ground, howling in pain.  I tried to
jump back out of the way, but one of it's claws caught me
across the chest, raking sparks from my armour.  I was turned
complely around by the glancing blow and I quickly flicked the
tip my my blade at it's eyes.   Belldandy took advantage of
it's preoccupation with me and landed another stunning blow to
it's back.  Another sizzle of magical energy filled the night
and the Devil fell to one knee.  I lunged at it's neck,
ramming my sword into it's unprotected throat.  The blade went
in easily, running the creature through smoothly.

     The Devil spluttered and coughed up black blood, before
collapsing onto the ground.  I pulled the sword back as the
Demon began to shimmer.  The fearsome creature suddenly shrunk
to a smaller size and a hiss of steam filled the air.  I
watched in amazement as it was suddenly reduced to the size of
a small statue.   I nudged it with the point of my blade,
"What the hell is that?", I wondered.

     Belldandy gasped, "It was a decoy!", she shouted.

     I threw a watch on the ground and grabbed her arm, "Come
on!", I shouted, hoping we'd be in time.

                                  ******

     Ranma was sitting sullenly in the protective circle that
Brett had created.  She winced at the demonic screams from
outside, "Looks like they're winning", she noted.

     Genma grunted, "Don't be so sure boy", he said, "Devils
are much trickier than common Demons we've fought".

     A figure strode into the room, "I'd listen to your
father!", it said in a low voice.

     Ranma and Genma recoiled in fear from the creature in
front of them.  Whisps of steam rose from it's horns and it's
hiedous face was twisted in a grin.  It's feet struck sparks
from the floor as it walked across the room.

     Comming to a stop just at the edge of the protective
pentagram it examined it closely, "Very interesting", it
mused, "It seems that they've got a protective ring around
you".

     "How did you get past Brett and Belldandy?", Ranma
demanded.

     "Oh.. I didn't... they're just occupied fighting one of
my more interesting illusions", it said, "now for the two of
you!".

     "Yeah right!", Ranma said scornfully, "Nothing you could
do will force us out of the circle!".

     "You know what?", the Devil said, "You're right.. nothing
*I* could do would force you out.... now on the other hand..". 
Another, lesser Demon walked into the room, carrying a
struggling figure that both Ranma and Genma recoginised.

     "NO!", Akane screamed, "Let me go!".

     Genma grabbed Ranma's arm, "We won't be fooled by your
illusions!", he shouted, "Son.. it's not her.. it's just a
trick!".

     "RANMA!!!!", Akane screamed, "STAY IN THE CIRCLE!!!!".

     The Demon carrying Akane slapped her across the face,
drawing a line of blood from her lip.  "SHUT UP!", it
growlled.

     Genma locked his arms around Ranma, "It's a trick!", he
repeated.

     The Devil looked up, "Well.. you know what.. it might be
a trick... but then that little Goddess that was protecting
them wasn't much of a challange, in fact she was delicious",
it said, smiling broadly, "Now I haven't feasted on the flesh
of a mortal in a long time... I think I'm feeling hungry!".

     With that it began advancing towards Akane, claws
extended.  Akane shrunk away then she looked over and saw
Ranma trying to break her father's grip, "NO!!!", she
screamed, "Ranma stay where you are!!!".  The Devil ran it's
forked tounge over it's teeth and advnaced towards Akane.  

     With a feral growl, Ranma kicked her father across the
room and leapt to Akane's defense.  She rained punches on the
huge Devil, striking sparks from it's armoured hide.  The
Devil gave smile, "You're an energetic one", it commented.  It
ignored Ranma's kicks and punches and after several tries, it
grabbed her around the waist.

     "BASTARD!!", she screamed.

     The Devil laughed at her, "Foolish mortal!", I intoned,
"You should have listened to your father".  Akane also
laughed, then her body deformed into a grotesque shape, with
long, stalk-like eyes and sharp teeth, "My hero!", it burbled.

     Ranma ceased struggling and concentrated.  The Devil
walked over and picked up a gibbering Genma, "Hmm.. been a
while since I ate a Panda too", it commented.

     Then it noticed the glow forming around Ranma, "What's
this?", it asked in amazement.

     Suddenly Ranma punched out at the hand that held her,
forcing her fighting spirit along with the punch.  The
startled Devil's arm was ripped off at the elbow and it
screamed in agony.  Ranma grinned, "Never underestimate an
opponant", she cautioned, "Leads to all kind of trouble!".

     The other two Demons looked shocked at the damage to
their master and froze in confusion.  The thoughts going
through their head were obvious 'if she can do *that* to *him*
what could she do to us?'.

     The Devil drew itself up, "Very good little girl", it
said, "But you'd be best taking your own advice!".  Ranma
watched as the severed arm seemed to crawl across the room and
reattach itself to the Devil.  It stood and streatched, "Ahh..
that's much better", then it looked at it's cowering servants,
"FOOLS!", it thundered, "Take them and follow!".

     The Demons tackeled Ranma and Genma and after a brief
struggle, one wrapped them up in something resembling spider
web.  They were then slung over the Devil's shoulders and the
three creatures of darkness slipped quitely out of the Dojo.

                                  ******

     Skuld led the Tendos back into their home.  They walked
quickly to the room where Ranma and Genma had been sitting in
the protective circle.  What they found was less than
encouraging.  The circle was broken and the Saotomes were
missing.  The room was also splattered in blood, a dark, thick
blood that seemed more black than red.

     Akane bit her lower lip at the sight of the blood,
"That's not...", she began.

     Skuld shook her head, "Nope.. that's not human blood",
she said, "Looks like that Devil got more than it planned
for".

     A few moments later Brett and Belldandy walked into the
room, claw marks were slashed across the front of Brett's
armour and he looked tired.

     "They're gone", Brett announced, "We got back too late,
I'm sorry".

     Akane sunk to her knees, "What's going to happen to
them?", she asked, already knowing the answer.  Soun began
crying silently and even Nabiki looked depressed.

     Brett rammed his sword into the floor, leaving it
standing in the middle of the ruined circle, "DAMN IT!", he
swore, "I should have known something like this was going to
happen!".

     Kasumi touched Akane's shoulder, "Don't worry", she said,
"I'm sure everything will be alright".

     Akane nodded slowly, "I'll never forgive that pervert if
he lets anything happens to himself!", she promised.

     Brett gingerly unsnapped the chestplace of armour,
wincing as he relased the clips, "That's gonna hurt in the
morning", he said, testing his bruised ribs gently.

     He looked serious at Belldandy, "I don't think we can
leave everyone here", he said, "Do you think it would be
alright for them to stay at the temple for a while? I mean the
wards there should protect them".

     Belldandy thought for a moment, "Alright, I'll go and
make the preperations", she said, turning and walking over to
a mirror.  A moment later she dissapeard in a flash of light.  
Brett turned to the Tendos, "It'll only be till we can track
down that Devil", he explained.

     Skuld examined Brett's armour, "Wow!", she said, "That
was some decoy", she said, "Another inch or two and you would
have been hurt".

     Brett shrugged and then winced, "Well... I'll have to
talk to Chia-Yao", he commented, "That armour is good for
penetration, but it doesn't do a lot for impact".

     Kasumi looked concerned, "Are you going to be alright?",
she asked, "Maybe you should go and see Dr Tofu?".

     Brett nodded, "Perhaps you're right", he allowed
toughtfully.

     Skuld picked up the chestplate and examined it more
closely, "I'll have this fixed by the time you get back", she
said.

     "Do you think you could manage to get everyone back to
the temple?", he asked Skuld.

     Skuld nodded, "No problem", she said confidently, "We'll
see you back at the temple".  Brett walked outside and Skuld
began hurrying everyone along, the sooner she got back to the
temple, the sooner she could rework the armour.

                                  ******

     I walked calmly throught he streets of Nermia, the
evening was quite pleasent and warm.  However every step I
took, jarred my sore ribs and I had to concentrate on walking
carefully.  I must have looked pretty unusual, form-fitting
body armour covering everything but my chest and mincing along
to avoid the pain in my ribs. Finally I came to Dr Tofu's
office.  I pressed the night button and waited.

     A few moments later the door opened and a disshevelled Dr
Tofu peered out at me, "Brett?", he asked, recoginising me
from my previous visit.

     I nodded, "Hey Doc!", I greeted him, "I seem to have hurt
myself, would you mind taking a look?".

     Dr Tofu opened the door and gestured me into the
examination room.  I unclipped the rest of my body armour and
placed it in a pile on the floor.  Gingerly I took off my
shirt and then winced as I moved my hands above my head.  Dr
Tofu carefully pressed on my ribs several times, judging by my
reaction how damaged I was.

     "Not too serious", he commented, "If you'd been hit
straight on, it might have cracked some of your ribs, as it is
they're just bruised".

     I nodded and he applied some kind of cream, before
wrapping my ribs up carefully.  "Now how on earth did that
happen?", he asked, as I slipped back into my shirt.

     I sighed, "Well Doc.. it wasn't anything from this earth
that did this to me", I replied.  Seeing his blank expression
I shrugged, "Never mind, it's not that important".

     Dr Tofu looked pointedly at the pile of body armour on
the floor, "If you got that injury while wearing armour.. it
must have been something *really* serious", he countered, "If
you're in trouble, you should tell me, I might be able to
help".

     I smiled, "Doc.. of offense... but I think you'd be out
of your depth", I replied, "I got myself into this mess, so
I'm gonna get myself out of it".

     Dr Tofu shook his head, "Brett", he said seriously,
"Remember you have a responsibilty to not only yourself.. but
to your Fiancee".

     "My what?", I asked, confused for a moment.  Then I
realised what he said and I shrugged, "Oh.. you mean Kasumi?".

     At his curt nod I smiled, "Don't worry Doc", I said,
"Kasumi and I have already talked things through.. I told her
that I couldn't marry her.. ".

     Dr Tofu looked almost offended, "Why not?", he asked
sharply.

     I shrugged, "Firstly... *I* don't love her", I replied,
"And secondly *she* doesn't love *me*".

     Dr Tofu nodded, "Those are good reasons not to get
married", he admitted.

     I picked up a piece of body armour and looked at it, "I'm
afraid my life's a little too complicated at the moment...", I
said quietly, "Kasumi needs someone who can support her here
and now.. not occasionally or when circumstances allow".

     Dr Tofu leaned against the table, "You still didn't
answer my question", he said, "How did you get hurt?".

     I smiled, "You asked for it Doc", I replied.  Over the
next few minutes I explained about my duel with Happosai and
the Demon he'd summoned.

     "So you managed to trap the Demon?", Dr Tofu asked.

     I nodded, "The method I used should have kept it trapped
until it ran out of energy.. but somehow it managed to call
for it's master... a Devil named Tupnixua", I explained.

     Dr Tofu blanched, "A *real* Devil?", he asked in a sick
voice.

     I nodded, "It's pretty tough too", I said.  Then I
explained to him about the kidnappings and how only those that
were cursed were taken.

     Dr Tofu's expression hardened, "You know what the Devil's
planning to do to them, don't you?", he asked.

     I nodded, "But then I've got some friends who can help",
I replied.

     Dr Tofu frowned, "The only thing that might stand up to a
Devil is a god", he said firmly.

     I nodded, "Yup!", I replied cheerfully, "It's nice to
have friends in *high* places".

     Dr Tofu looked on dubiously as I picked up the heap of
armour.  "Well?", I asked him.

     "Well what?", he replied, looking confused.

     "Do you want to come along?", I asked, "You seem to have
a good knowledge of Demons and your medical skills certinally
come in handy".

     Dr Tofu looked around, "But.. my practice... I can't just
leave it", he exclaimed.

     I shrugged, "The Tendo's are going to need some help
getting along", I said, "They could do with a familar friend
around".

     Dr Tofu thought for a moment more, "Well, just let me
gather up a few things", he said, walking out of the room.

     I leant against the table and unwound the bandages that
Dr Tofu had so expertly tied around my chest.  Whispering a
quick healing spell I sighed in relief as my injury was
repaired.  Dumping the bandages I laughed slightly, "Urd's not
the only one who's tricky!".

     A few minutes later Dr Tofu returned, he had a small
doctor's bag and a suitcase, "Well, I'm ready", he said,
"Let's get to the Tendo's".

     "Err", I said, "Actually Doc.. the Tendo's are staying
with those friends of mine".

     Dr Tofu frowned, "And where is that?", he asked
cautiously.

     "Oh.. at a little temple", I said offhandedly, "Over near
Nekomi".

     Dr Tofu shrugged, "Well, let's hurry up then, it's a long
trip to Nekomi", he said.

     I laughed, "Not as long as you think", I replied. 
Snapping my fingers I made the armour dissapear and my uniform
spring up around me.

     I was quite surprised to have a piece of paper suddenly
flung at me, it stuck to my forhead.  I reached up and pulled
it off, it was a bhuddist charm to ward off demons.  I looked
at Dr Tofu, "What was that for?", I asked.

     Tofu shrugged, "Well... I didn't want to be joining the
wrong side", he expalined.

     I nodded, "Good", I replied, handing it back to him, "You
arn't joining the wrong side...".

     "What are you?", Dr Tofu asked firmly, "I'm not going
anywhere till you explain!".

     I explained my history to him.  He didn't comment till I
reached the end, "So that's what you meant about having other
responsibilities", he said quietly.

     I nodded, "You can see why it wouldn't have been fair on
Kasumi", I replied.

     He picked up the cases in response, "Well then", he said,
"Let's get moving, I can hardly wait to see a temple populated
by Gods and Goddesses".

     I laughed, "Alright, off we go then".  I placed a hand on
his shoulder and cast my transport spell.  Stepping forward I
reached out and touched the clock on the wall.

                                  ******


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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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