This isn't perfect but I'd like to know what people think. I'll take
ANY type of C&C, as long as it's constructive. If all you want to do is
flame me, you can make you merry way to h*ll. Anything else, even if
uncomplimentary, is accepable if it's meant to help me improve this
story, which is was I want to do.

    Thank you for your time. :)

Bree

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FORWARD:

   This is the second part of 'A Druid's Way,' and I hope there is maybe

someone who liked the first part enough to continue with this one.

Bree Duffy
bree.duffy@bbs.chemek.cc.or.us

----------

   A young woman hovered over a sleeping young man. She brushed back the

hair from his face, fondness evident in her touch. She stood as he
stirred, her black hair fell into her face as she whispered, "bye,"
before disappearing.

   Druid continued to stir fitfully for some time. Eventually he opened
his eyes with a groan, and a mumbled complaint, "Ohhhhh..... that was a
VERY bad idea!!!"

   A strange woman's voice answered him, "Maybe, maybe not."

   Surprised Druid looked around as far as his eyes could move. He was
unwilling to move his head, which hurt too much.

   *I can't see anything, but I can sure FEEL that someone is here. Even

if the presence feels more magical that physical.*

   He strained to feel more, despite his growing headache.

   He was reprimanded by that same voice, "STOP THAT! You're just going
to
make yourself feel worse and it's not going to do you and good!"

   Druid frowned. An unhappy thought came to him, "Don't tell me it's
one of those, 'You'll find out when you need to,' kind of deals!?"

   The strange woman giggled at the exasperation in his voice, "Yes, I'm

afraid it is one of those things," her tone belied the feigned regret.

   Druid put his left hand on his head, "Great, JUST GREAT! Just what I
need!" He sighed, feeling very put upon. "Oh well, it could be worse."

   The voice became serious, "Yes it could have been much worse. You can

heal yourself pretty well, but not when you're unconscious. That
Tofu-sensei is very good, but not enough to save you from permanent
damage.

   My sister is the main reason you're still alive. I had to help out a,

 though I admit not much. You've done fairly well to make yourself
tougher, BUT... did you HAVE to follow my advice in quite that
fashion?!"

   Closing his eyes Druid smiled... if tiredly, "It was the best thing I

could come up with...." Realization dawned, "Wait a minute! YOUR advice?

Was it you that made me aware of the fact I needed to be here, and WHY?"

   He didn't get an answer, as the presence, whoever it had been, had
disappeared.

   A moment later he found out why, as Soun, with Ranma and Genma in tow

entered the room.

   Soun looks around curious, "Who were you just talking to just now?"

   Druid tensed at the sight of Ranma, and berates himself, *Damn it! I
should have know this would happen. I may have provoked him, but it
still HURT! What am I going to DO! I can't let Ranma see this, if I read

his look right he's feeling bad enough as it is!*

   He was unsure of what to do and quivering in fear, though he allowed
very little of it to show. He then felt a different, but somehow
similar voice to the one he'd heard just moments before in hi head.
"This won't do at all!"

   Immediately following that admonishment he felt a soothing presence
within his mind, and a deadening of his fear. Not erasure, just much
softer, enough so he could deal with it on his own.

   This hadn't taken but a moment, short enough that the others didn't
notice. Opening his eyes Druid looked the trio over, "I haven't got a
clue," referring to Soun's question.

   Shrugging it off as unimportant Soun leaves the room, "Ok. I heard
you speaking earlier so I went and grabbed these two. I'm leaving them
with you, they both have something they need to say."

   Awkwardly Ranma and Genma sat down, and Druid said nothing.

   Druid continued to say nothing as he closed his eyes again, making
Genma and Ranma more uncomfortable as time went on.

   Genma was the first one to break, bowing with his head to the mat he
apologized, "I'm sorry! It's all my fault that this happened. I'm really

truly sorry!" He appeared to have finished when he stood up, but just
before he left he added, "Thank you for bringing us back together," and
then disappeared.

   Opening his eyes Druid watched Genma leave, "That was a surprise. I
wouldn't have expected something like that from him."

   Ranma frowned fiercely at his departing father, "That old man would
never had done it if mother hadn't threatened him. It probably helped
that Akane and her father back mom up."

   They both heard a shout from the direction Genma had gone, "I heard
that Ranma! Don't be so sure about it!"

   Ranma and Druid gave each other a surprised look. Ranma's face fell
when Druid continued to look at him steadily, "Why are you here Ranma?"

   Shamefacedly Ranma stared at the floor. *I don't know how to deal
with this.* Ranma's usual way of dealing with something that bothered
him was to attack it, but that was what had CAUSED this problem.

   Taking a deep breath he slowly started to speak, "After the fight was

over, Ryouga pulled Akane and I aside. Between us we worked out what
you'd done. The water that fell on me and pop, The promise you made
Ryouga give you, and your reaction to seeing mom holding onto me. When
I realized that you had done what you did for us, I was happy, I had my
mother again. Then I became angry, when I realized that you'd set me
up."

   Looking up Ranma gave Druid a fierce stare, "WHY did you do that?
Couldn't you have found some other way to do this!? Why did you have to
make me do that to you?!"

   Frowning Druid answered uncertainly, "When I found out that your
mother was here I came back as fast as I possibly could, at least with
Ryouga in tow. I didn't have a lot of time to think about it, but I knew

I had to do something to get this situation resolved as fast as
possible.
Although I don't know why."

   Unsure of what to say to that, Ranma tried to change the subject,
"Ummm, Druid...?"

   "Yes?" Druid answered softly.

   He hesitated, then changes his mind, "Never mind." Standing Ranma
was about to leave when an angry shout was be heard from Akane, "RANMA!"

   He flinched, "all right already!" he shouted back. Fidgeting he
blurted out, "I'm sorry for beating you up!"

   He waited for recrimination that never came. He was shocked to hear
Druid's jovial retort, "That's Ok Ranma. I'll take it out of your hide
later."

   Dazed, Ranma saw that Druid was smiling. "Heh, you'll try!" he shot
back.

   With a smile and a wave, Ranma stepped energetically out of the room.

"You'll see!" Druid shouted after him.

   "That went well," Druid mused aloud. "I'm glad he came. I feel much
better about what happened than I did before."

   Tofu-sensei walked in, wearing a smile, "I was hoping that would be
the case."

   Akane followed him in, carrying a tray of food. Druid was fortunate
that she missed his look of utter terror he gave the food. Tofu did not
and hastened to reassure him, "Kasumi made that for you, you need it as
you've been cold out for five days."

   He had a silly grin on his face after mentioning her name, and had to

struggle to stay focused.

   It was unfortunate that Akane did not miss his look of utter relief.
Her battle aura began to flare, but it faded quickly. His weak smile
prevented her from staying angry. She couldn't be mad at someone in that

bad a shape.

   She set the food down and sat by him.

   He gave her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry Akane, I didn't mean it as

an insult," and sighed regretfully.

   He returned his gaze to Tofu-sensei who, after enough time to calm
down, been examining him, "So... how bad off am I? From what I can feel
you've got me pretty well wrapped up."

   Tofu became grave, "You were very badly beaten. Both of your legs and

your right arm were broken, as well as several of your ribs. You also
have a concussion, which I'm sure is causing you a rather nasty
headache. However you seem to be healing far faster than normal. I
believe
it'll be safe enough to let you up in another couple of days."

   "Well, that's better than I expected. Considering how exhausted I was

when it happened I had thought it would take longer."

   "I thought you might die, I'm surprised you're awake this soon." Tofu

responded bluntly.

   "Hmph, what can I say, you spend enough time and you can do wonders,"

was Druid enigmatic reply.

   Confused by Druid's statement, Tofu decided to ignore it. "Well I
need to get back to the clinic but I should be back by late this
evening."

   Without another word he left.

   Akane had been uncharacteristically silent the whole time the two had

been talking.

   Druid startled her by addressing her, "Akane?"

   "What?" she asked quietly.

   "Would you do me a favor?" At her cautious nod he took something from

around his neck with his good arm, and held it out to her.

   "Take this to my pack and touch it to the clasps, do this BEFORE you
try to open it. Inside you should find a green leather pouch. Take it
out and close the pack up again, and bring it to me. I'd very much
appreciate it."

   She saw a glowing green stone attached to a silver chain, and took it

with a little trepidation. She left to take care of the requested task,
and retuned shortly.

   "Thank you." Druid slipped the returned stone back around his neck
and carefully opened the pouch up. With great care he took out a purple
stone, and an earring of all things. Closing the pouch, he set it beside

himself.

   Laying the stone on his chest, he put the earring in his ear, and
fell into an immediate healing sleep. He left the cooling food uneaten.

   Frightened by his abrupt cessation of movement she was about to call
out when she saw his chest rising and falling. Relieved to see him still

breathing, she became curious. Kneeling down, she looked at the stone
and earring closely.

   The stone began to glow before her eyes, and she saw a green glow
coming from around his ear. Looking closely she saw that the earing was
a unicorn made of silver, a small green crystal hanging from it.

   "This is strange," she thought. Deciding that there was nothing for
to do, she left him to sleep in peace.

   Walking down the hall she wondered, "Why did he do that?"

   When she reached the living room she saw Ranma-chan sitting on the
porch, lost in though. *I wonder how he got wet so quickly?*

   As she came further into the room she saw a wet Genma-panda, *That
explains it. Stupid boy, getting in a fight so quickly.* She ignored the

fact of how often she and Ranma fought. She didn't want to think about
it.

   Becoming lost in her own thoughts she sat down next to Ranma-chan
without even thinking about it. They stayed that way for quite some
time, both in their own world.


----Chapter Two----


   Druid continued in his enchanted sleep for the next two and a half
days, but for a brief waking period where he ate ravenously. During that

time he healed rapidly. By the time he awoke again he was in far better
shape.

   Ryouga sat watching Druid late in the evening. The light within the
stones upon his chest and in his ear had begun to fade in the past few
hours, and the consensus was that he would probably wake soon.

   *This guy is so strange. Out of the blue he up and tells me that we
need to go back to the dojo, and wouldn't say why. As we walked he
finally told me he didn't know why at all, and is just acting on an
impulse. Not that I mind coming back but it would have been nice if
we'd taken it a little bit slower.

   How did he know that Ranma's mother was here, and why did he come up
with such a stupid plan? I don't want him to die. He's about the only
person that understands me. Someone I can talk to without being afraid
of being made fun of like Ranma does. He doesn't know it but I also
understand him. Maybe that's why I taught him the Shishi hoko dan.*

   Druid had awakened during Ryoga's musing and had turned to look at
Ryouga, "Hello Ryouga. How long have you been there?"

   Looking up, Ryouga smiled wryly, "For most of the time you've been
here, except when I need to sleep."

   Touched Druid smiled, "Thank you. I...," the rest goes forever unsaid

as a very loud crash could be heard.

   Looking at each other they reached an agreement without anything
being said. They had become used to working together over the last four
months.

   Taking the crystal from his chest Druid got up, noting absently that
his bandages had been removed while he slept. Ryouga went and got his
staff.

   Taking the pouch from the floor, Druid pulled it over his shoulder
crosswise and put the crystals away. Claiming his staff from Ryouga they

both ran to the source of the sound, and heard an old man laughing.

   When they reached the living room they saw everyone but Ranma staring

out into the yard. No one paid any attention as they moved to better see

what was going on.

   Standing by the pond, an enraged Ranma and an equally enraged
Happosai faced one another, battle auras flaring.

   Unfortunately Happosai was distracted by Akane, who was moving toward

the two of them. He made a flying leap, headed straight for her chest.

   Everyone was startled when Druid let out a great shout, "STOP!!"

   Ranma, Genma, Akane, Nabiki, and Kasumi stopped, having previously
been unaware that Druid was awake. Ryouga stopped and vainly tried to
protect his ears from the volume of the shout.

   Happosai on the other hand stopped for a very different reason. He
was hanging in mid air with no apparent support, just inches from
Akane's chest.

   His stasis lasted no more than a moment, but long enough for Akane
to get out of the way.

   Enraged Happosai glared at everyone, "Who did that!?"

   Happosai saw a strange man walk out in front of him, *He must be the
one, none of these others could have done that. "Who the hell are you?!"

he ground out.

   With an air of disdain he told him, "My name is Druid."

   Happosai frowned, "Humph, were you the one the did that to me?"

   He became infuriated when this 'Druid' turned his back on him and
gestured for Ryouga and Ranma to join him in a corner.

   Happosai thought to himself, *Arrogant fool.* and started to tap his
foot in impatience, "Hello!? What are you young fools doing?"

   Smiling the trio separated, Ranma and Ryouga cracking their knuckles.

Druid took one of Happosai's bras from who knows where and led the angry

old man outside. Ryouga and Ranma were hot on their tail.

   Dropping the bra Druid kept running. Happosai stopped to pick it
up, and wasn't aware as Ryouga stood in front and Ranma behind him.

   At Ranma's signal Ryouga began his ki attack, "SHISHI!"

   Druid shouted, "STOP," and Happosai was temporarily frozen in place.

   "HOKODAN!"

    As Happosai began his flight, Ranma jumped up to give him a boost,
in
the form a kick, sending him on his way to China.

   Mischievously Druid commented, "and we have lift off! Lift off the
human rocket Happosai, on a one way trip to China!"

   This caused laughter all around, even Kasumi joined in for a moment.

----Chapter Three----

   Druid wasn't laughing a week later. Everyone was gone but him. Ranma,

Akane, and Nabiki were at school. Genma was at Tofu-sensei's Clinic and
Kasumi was out shopping. Soun was off who knows where, and Ryouga had
gotten lost, again.

   Druid felt a presence behind himself, and wasn't very happy. Running
down a very shot list of three, he came to an unwelcome conclusion.

   Groaning Druid turn around, and sees something not entirely
unexpected, "Hello Happosai." In his hand Happosai hold a ball of clear
plastic, with water in it. Looking closer Druid perceived a strange glow

emanating from the water.

   "Do you know what this is Druid?" Happosai chuckled nastily.

   Druid sighed sadly, "Water from the spring of drowned girl isn't it?"

   Smiling Happosai confirmed his suspicion, "Yes it is. What are you
going to do about it? No one is around to help you now."

   Furtively pulling something out a his pocket, Druid waited until just

before Happosai threw the ball, then threw something of his own.

   Happosai was surprised to see a green crystal head unerringly toward
his hand, and pass through the ball without any sign of damage. It then
disappeared completely, leaving no trace of its existence. Shrugging he
threw it anyway. He gleefully watched the change occur, *A new girl to
play with!...,* "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

   He wasn't so gleeful a moment later.

   To Druid's eyes something quite different had happened. As the
crystal
flew through the air it glowed a brighter and brighter green. It passed
harmlessly through the container, then exploded into a million minute
pieces. This caused the water to glow, the same color as the crystal
had.

   He felt himself change as the water soaked him. He looked down, his
eyes confirming what his other senses told him. He was now a she.

   Happosai was surprised and uncertain when he saw Druid look up and
SMILE at him. It didn't take long for him to find out why, as Druid
changed back to his original form, WITHOUT the use of hot water!

   Shocked he blurted out, "Wha... what happened!?"

   Smiling impishly Druid gloated at Happosai's consternation, "You
remember that crystal I threw at you Happosai?" He nodded, "Well I used
it slightly modified the curse. Instead of just changing when I get hit
with hot or cold water, I can change at will."

   Happosai started to pout, "but... but...," then pulled out a bra.

   He was surprised beyond belief when he heard a female voice, "Don't
worry old man, I'll still be female part of the time. I'll change when I

get hit by water if I'm not paying attention. However, I am in no mood
to
deal with you trying to douse me to change me female."

   "So," his now male voice began, "I'm going send you on a little
trip."

   Looking down Happosai realized that Druid had not been idle while she

was talking. Glowing lines of purple light encircled him upon the floor.

Almost instantaneous it grew into a globe that surrounded him, and then
it disappeared, taking him with it.

   "That'll take him a while! Have fun at Mt. Everest Happosai!" he
called after the disappeared pervert.

   Druid stood there and stared at where Happosai had been. Then
trudging up to his room he cried himself to sleep. A soothing presence
appeared, easing his discomfort somewhat.


----Chapter Four----


   Opening gummy eyes Druid sat up, *This is much harder to deal with
than I thought it would be.* Looking out the window He saw the sun
setting.

   *Well if Ranma can deal with it so can I!* Inwardly he wasn't so
sure. *At least I'll have a little control over my change!*

   He considered Ranma's possible reaction to that little bit of news.
He shuddered violently, *He'd want me to do the same for him. I have no
idea what he'd do if I told him I couldn't, at least not yet.*

   Listening carefully he heard sounds of movement downstairs.

   A devilish idea came to mind, *This ought to be fun! If nothing else
it'll give me a laugh or two, which I definitely need!*

   He got dressed quickly he changed to female form. *I ought to do
something about these clothes,* noting how baggy they now were. *Oh
well, they'll do for now.*

   Walking up to a mirror she looked at her reflection.

   Her hair was still the same. Long silvery strands hung straight down
to her waist. Her features had softened somewhat, and she'd lost only an

inch or two in height.

   Turning from the mirror Druid went downstairs, a spring in her step.

   Poking her head around the corner, Druid saw that everyones'
attention was focused on Ranma and Akane, who were fighting. They didn't

notice her as she snuck outside, then walked around to the pond.

   As soon as he was in sight Druid headed straight for Ranma, "excuse
me? Are you Ranma Saoatome?"

   At his uncertain nod she smiled. Ranma gulped and gave his father a
LOOK. He got a glare from Akane before turning to this strange woman,
"Ummm, why are you here?"

   Pretending to search, she looked around and soon found Genma.
Pointing at him she declared, "Didn't he tell you? I'm your fiance!"

   Akane had begun a slow boil [A.N. start to boil? She's ALWAYS
boiling!] when this woman had walked up to Ranma and started talking to
him.

   This last revelation was the last straw, and she did a typical Akane
maneuver. She threw first Ranma, then for good measure Genma, into the
pond.

   "Doesn't that bother you!?" Akane asked, pointing at the now female
Ranma.

   She was VERY disturbed by the strange woman's answer, "Oh not at
all!" Looking first Ranma-chan then Akane up and down she licked her
lips then added, "I like it MUCH better this way!"

   Everyone's look of shock was the last straw for Druid, and she
couldn't contain herself any more. She fell to the ground with gales of
laughter.

   Nabiki was the first to react. Standing up from the table, she went
into the kitchen and came out with two kettles.

   Taking one to Ranma, she whispered something into her ear. He changed

back to a guy, and followed Nabiki's instructions. He took the other
kettle to the laughing woman.

   Druid didn't notice him walking up, her eyes tearing from the intense

laughter. She was therefore taken unawares as Ranma poured the water
over her, changing her back to a guy.

   Druid stopped laughing, but after seeing Ranma's astonishment Druid
lost control again and burst back into laughter. He didn't bother to get

up.

   It didn't take long for everyone but Genma to join him. He felt put
out at being the but of the joke. Akane was arguably the loudest of them

all, including Druid.

   Recovering Druid got up, "Surprise!" he exclaimed. He then went into
the house.

   The rest followed him in and they sat down to eat. All eyes locked on

him.

   Typically Ranma was the first one to ask the question on everyone's
mind, "What happened to you?"

   Giving Ranma a wry look, Druid had to say only one thing, "Happosai."

   He saw the comprehension growing on everyone's face.

   "Why didn't  you stop him from doing it?" Nabiki asked.

   "I thought this might happen, and was prepared for it. You might
wonder why I didn't do something to prevent myself from getting cursed
at all, well... I couldn't. I could have prevented the water from
getting to me, but that was when I was awake. What would he have done
later, when I was asleep?"

   Looking at Ranma he grinned, "Like say, spring of drowned cat?"

   Ranma's frightened look was all he needed, "No, I guess not. It could

even have been worse. At least this way I'm still human. Besides, now
that I have one I can USE it to prevent those who have a curse from
getting any others."

   The Ranma and Genma lit up on that one, "Really!?" they asked in
unison.

   Druid smiled at their enthusiasm,  "Yes I believe so."

   Turning to Ranma he continued, "I'm going need to borrow you for a
while Ranma. In both your forms," he added absently.

   Ranma grimaced at that.

   Druid looked at the others, "Now for the best news. Once I figure
out how to prevent those of us who already have curses from getting
another, I'm sure I can prevent anyone else from getting one in the
first place."

   He got relieved looks all around the table at that bit of news.

   Immediately after diner was over, Druid stood up and gestured for
Ranma to follow him. They go into the bath room, and Druid sealed the
room from prying eyes magically.

   They don't emerge for two hours. Ranma was a little red faced as
they came out.

   Druid had them changing to and from their other forms so much that
they had dispensed with their clothes. Ranma had been embarrassed and
Druid had been too involved to pay much attention to it.

  They saw no one as they came out.

   "It looks like everyone went to bed doesn't it?" Druid noted.

   Ranma nodded, "Yes. I think will too." Without another word he headed

up to his room.

   Druid smiled, "Good idea," and follows him up.

   As they were eating breakfast the next morning Druid told them what
he'd come up with.

   "I now understand the curses much better that I did before I got one
myself. I expect with a little more work I'll be able to make
preventative measures on those who already have curses this afternoon."

   Ranma asked the question that was on both his and Genma's mind, "Why
can't you just cure it?"

   Sadly Druid broke Ranma's hopes, "I might be able to do just that."
Ranma started to grin but Druid held up his hand, "but it would probably

kill you in the process."

   Ranma's face fell, and he said nothing more about it through the rest

of breakfast.

   As Akane, Ranma and Nabiki got ready to go to school Druid walked up
to them with a wooden sword strapped on his back next to his normal one.

   "As I understand it you said that Kuno was a kendo champion?" he
asked. He got nods all around.

   "Good, I think I'd like to spar with him if he's willing, I'm out of
practice."

   Ranma asked annoyed, "Why spar with HIM?! I'm better than he is!"

   Looking him in the eye Druid asked, "I'm sure you are, but you can't
use a sword can you?"

   That let the wind out of his sails, "Well... yes."

   "Then let's go, I'm sure you don't want to be late for school."

   Ranma grumbled to himself as he followed the others, "Kuno better
than me... we'll just see about that."

   Later Druid watched bemused as Akane waded through the group of
boys that wanted to date her. Using punches and kicks liberally. It
didn't take her long before she finished.

   When she finally got through she ran into Kuno. Before either could
say or do anything Druid walked up beside her, "Hello, you must be
Kuno."

   Kuno turned to regard the impudent man who had taken his attention
from the beautiful Akane, "I am, and you are... cur?"

   Druid frowned, *He's as arrogant as I've heard all right.* Aloud he
said, "My name is Druid."

   "What business do you have with me?" Kuno asked superciliously.

   Taking his boken from his back Druid held it up, "I heard you're
good at kendo, and I've had no one to practice with for quite a while
now. I was hoping you'd be willing to do so."

   "What makes you think I'd waste my time on..." in a flash Druid had
his boken an inch from Kuno's nose.

   Looking Druid over consideringly Kuno nodded to himself, "Maybe you
are a worthy opponent."

   Druid put the sword away, as Kuno continued, "Very well, I accept
your challenge. As I have things to do this afternoon we will do this
during the lunch hour."

   Without another word he turned and went into the school, laughing
all the way.

   Ranma began to say something, but the bell started ringing. He and
Akane left Druid choking in their dust.

   He followed them in at a more leisurely pace.

   As he wandered the school's halls he thought to himself, "I wonder
how long it'll take me to meet Hinako-sensei.*

   He'd barely finished that thought when he heard a shout from behind
himself, "Stop!"

   Druid sighed to himself as he spun around. *It WOULD happen like this

wouldn't it? Murphy seems to have taken a liking to me.*

   He saw a young child, who wore yellow dress. She held a five yen
piece between her fingers.

   "Hinako sensei I presume?"

   Setting herself she shouted, "Prepare yourself delinquent!"

   Druid held up hands in an attempt to placate her, "Do I really look
 young enough to be a student here?"

   Hinako considered this for a moment before looking him in the eye.
"You're right, you don't look that young, so you're a trespasser!"

   Wasting no time she shouted, "HAPO FIVE YEN SATSU!"

   Druid shouted, "REFLECT!" and watched what happened with interest.

   The ki draining effect bounced off his shield, and turned back upon
its caster.

   Hinako's eyes widened briefly in pain, then she passed out.

   Since there was no one else around, he went and picked her up then
took her to the nurses office.

   *She didn't lose anything, but having you own ki pulled out of
   yourself, then shoved back in must have been VERY painful. What a
pity,*
he thought with mock regret.


----Chapter Five----


   Hinako came to slowly, *Where am I? The last thing I remember was
trying to drain that strange man.*

   She wouldn't admit, even to herself, that she looked forward to
draining someone. She preferred to be in her adult form. *This doesn't
feel like my bed, I wonder where I am?*

   She felt a tremendous headache coming on, and opened her eyes with a
low moan, "Owww, that hurts!"

   She was surprised to hear someone answer, "That's what you get for
trying to attack someone before you even trying to talk."

   She turned her head swiftly, and immediately wished she hadn't.

   With blurred vision she watched as the stranger held out a glass of
water and a couple of pills.

   "Takes these, it'll make you feel a lot better," he said in a not
unkind tone.

   She took them with trepidation, *They look like Tylenol, but they're
glowing green. I'm not sure I want to take these.*

   Her headache flared up intensely, *All right maybe I will!*

   Without thinking about it any further she downed them with one swift
gulp of water. Almost immediately afterward her headache disappeared.

   She looked around with much clearer vision, and saw that she was in
the nurse's office. The young man sat on a stool next to her bed.

   "Feeling better?" he asked solicitously.

   "Yes, thank you. What did you do to the medicine to make it work so
well, and why did you bother after I attacked you like that?"

   Druid smiled reassuringly, "I enchanted them to make them work
faster, and better. I also prevented any side effects.

   As for your second question, I can understand why you did it. I do
rather stand out," he gestured to his clothes. "Besides," he took on a
somber mien, "I can't blame you for wanting to be in your normal form."

   Hinako was shocked at his knowledge of her problem, and his sympathy.

   "How did you know that?!" she demanded.

   Druid gave her a look full of mystery, "That is something that I do
not want to discuss right now. Suffice it to say that I know, and I
might even be able to help you too." *Besides everyone in the school
knows about her.*

   She looked at him tensely, "ARE YOU SERIOUS!?" she shouted.

   Her vehemence brought some shocked looks from the other in the room.

   A glare, and her reputation made them very brief stares however.

   Standing he offered her his hand, "Yes I think I can, but we can
discuss it later, say after lunch? I know you have a class right now."

   Sighing she took his hand and got up, "Oh all right, until then."

   They left the room together. As they walked, Hinako asked curiously,
"Why are you here anyway?"

   Druid shrugged, "You probably noticed the boken on my back as you
came up behind me, it's the reason I'm here."

   Seeing her confusion he elaborated, "I heard Tatewaki Kuno was very
good at kendo, and I haven't had someone to spar with for some time. I
asked Kuno if he would consider it."

   "And?" she asked impatiently.

   "He accepted. For some reason he thought it was a challenge though,
so it ought to be interesting."

   Curious she asked, "how did you find out about him?"

   He smoothly sidestepped her question, "I came here with Ranma
Saoatome
and Akane Tendo."

   "That delinquent!" Hinako muttered indignantly.

   "It's not always his fault Hinako-sensei," Druid admonished softly.

   She looked down, "I know, it's just.....," then stopped.

   Druid gave her a questioning look.

   In response she pointed at a door, "that's my class room."

   With a silly smile on his face Druid walked over to the door and
opened it. Giving her a florid bow he intoned, "after you madam."

   Laughing she entered the room, Druid following her in.

   All the students look up as she came in. They're all startled to see
strange young man trail in behind her. What was more surprising was
him going to the back of the room.

   {�VERY ROUGH}
   He sat down, pulled out a book, and began to read. They couldn't
understand why Hinako-sensei was ignoring him. However the most
startling thing was the fact that they hadn't seen him bring any books
in.

   Ranma and Akane stared at Druid, which he shrugged off.

   This infuriated them, and they came to an unvoiced agreement. They'd
wait for lunch, then beat the answers out of him if necessary.

   Hinako was annoyed by her students lack of attention, "IF I could
have your attention please!"

   As one the class spun to face her, none of them missing the threat
implied in her tone.

   The lecture continued smoothly from there, and soon the bell rang the

lunch hour in.

   After a glare from Hinako, most of the students left. The only ones
left were, Druid, Akane, Ranma, Kuno, and Hinako.

   Hinako took Kuno aside and spoke with him briefly, as Ranma and Akane

made straight for Druid.

   Akane spoke first,  "What did you do to make Hinako sensei ignore you

like that?"

   Before she could continue Ranma added, "It must have been something
major to make her do that."

   Akane gave him an irritated look.

   Druid was nonchalant, "I knocked her out."

   "WHAT?!" they shouted in unison.

   Druid saw Hinako and Kuno walking toward them, and stepped past the
two, "I'll tell you later."

   Hinako got directly to the point, "This will be a fair fight?"

   Druid wasn't affronted by the question. *She doesn't know me very
well... yet. It's going to take me a lot of time to fix her problem. If
I can.* "Of course, this is a match of skills, not other things."

   "Good," she turned, and led them to the gym.

   Rumor had spread quickly about the challenge, and a large crowd had
gathered by the time they got there. Druid could see Nabiki working the
crowd as Ranma, and Akane sat down in the bleachers.

   Druid and Kuno moved opposite from one another, Hinako in between
them.

   "I'll be refereeing this match," she said critically, "so keep it
clean."

   Kuno shouted pompously, "I would not harm my honor by doing
otherwise. The Blue Thunder of Furinkan High will NOT loose to this
cur!"

   Druid set himself and said nothing, centering and waiting for the
fight to start.

   Raising her arm she yelled, "READY?"

   After she got a nod from both Kuno and Druid she dropped her arm with

a shout, "START!"

   Druid waited for Kuno to make the first move.

   It didn't take long as he came in with an overhand swing, which Druid

deflected to his left. He ripostes with a cut to Kuno's wrist, which was

blocked solidly. They circle each other, trying to find and opening and
go
at it again.

   Five minutes later they're both panting and bruised in several
places. The crowd was going wild, and Ranma watched both of their moves
intently.

   Frustrated, Kuno shouted angrily, "I'll kill you!" and tried an
overhand attack again. Now Kuno didn't really what he'd just said, and
Druid guessed that, not that it really mattered.

   Reflexes kicking in Druid had Kuno on the floor, unconscious, in two
seconds. One slash cut Kuno's boken in half, and a second strike to his
head sent him into oblivion.

   There was complete silence for a moment, then muffled groans and
cheers were heard. The loudest voices were from those who had bet on the

fight.

   Druid wasn't surprised to see Nabiki watching him, a small smile on
her face. When she saw him returning her look, the smile became a smirk,

which he returned.

   *He just made me a lot of money. I wonder if he'd be willing to
arrange to do this again sometime?*

   She set that thought aside for the moment and returned to collecting
from those who owed her.

   Akane and Ranma joined Druid as he walked over to Hinako, who was
checking over Kuno.

   She looked up at them as they come near giving Druid the evil eye,
"You needn't have knocked him out like that."

   Druid was not repentant, "It's his fault for saying that. My
reflexes took over at that point, I wasn't ready for it."

   Kuno groaned as Druid took something out of his pocket. Turning to
the other kendo club members who'd come up behind him he asked, "Would
one of you get a cup of water for him so he can take these?"

   One, a freshman from his look, complied and returned shortly. Taking
the cup from him Druid knelt down by Kuno, who had by now opened his
eyes.

   "Take these," he suggested, "You'll feel much better."

   Not even bothering to look at the proffered pills Kuno downed them
quickly. His headache immediately lessened to almost nonexistence,
"What magic is this?" he exclaimed.

   Thinking quickly Druid shrugged, "It's just an improved version of
a common pain killer."

   He turned to face Hinako, "Don't we need to take care of something?"
he suggested.

   Hinako was no dummy and took over, "Ok everyone the fights over and
lunch is going to be over soon."

   They got the hint, and soon everyone was gone but the two of them.

   Before he left Kuno spoke to Druid, "You are welcome any time to my
club Druid." He then exited the building.

   Akane and Ranma shareed a surprised look with Druid before they too
left.

   Almost immediately after they were outside the building, sounds of
a fight starting were heard.

   Hinako asked the question that was burning through her mind, "Ok,
what
now?"

   Druid pondered for a moment, "We need to find some place where we
won't be disturbed."

   Hinako lit up, "I know just the place, " and hurriedly took him to
an empty class room.

   There were no windows at all in that room, and even with the lights
on it was gloomy. Most teachers didn't like to be in there as the lights

also had a tendency to go out.

   There was a lot of dust as it hadn't been used for a while.

   Druid closed the door behind them, passing his hand over it in a
sweeping gesture.

   He then looks Hinako over carefully, "Ok, what we need to do first is

get you into your adult form."

   Puzzled Hinako asked, "How... there's no one here for me to drain."

   Druid looked pained, "Yes there is... me. I want you to drain some of

my ki. However I only want you to take just enough to change, and do it
SLOWLY, I want to observe what happens."

   Nodding she set herself, "If you're sure... Hapo 5 yen satsu."

   Slowly she drained his ki out of him.

   It was decidedly unpleasant to have your ki drained out of you Druid
decided. *At least she's doing it like I asked. It's not TOO bad this
way. What it's doing to her body and aura is certainly interesting.*

   Slowly the changed occurred, and Druid was able to see a great deal
of what happened due to its slowness.

   When she was fully in her adult form she stopped. "There, that as far

as it'll go."

   Walking around her Druid examined her intensely.

   Absently he asked, "Now what were those pressure points that will
change you back to normal?"

   Blushing she showed him, his only response being a soft, "Oh."

   He pressed them, then stood back to watch her revert to her child
form.

   "Ok let's do it once more. Then I'll have to quit for now."

   They repeated the process as he suggested. Then Hinako went back to
her class while Druid took a nap.

   Druid woke with a start when he felt someone shaking him gently,
"It's time for you to go home, school's over."

   Looking up blearily Druid smiled a greeting, "Hello Hinako-sensei."

   Hinako smiled, "You don't need to call me sensei Druid, your aren't
a student."

   Druid got up slowly, a little sore from the match with Kuno. He
noticed that Hinako had reverted to her child form.

   After a moment of thought he made an offer, "If you'd like I'll do a
little more work on your problem." His stomach then decided to growl,
"After I get a bite to eat," he added.

   Eagerly she accepted the offer, "Sure! Why don't you come home with
me and I'll feed you. It's the least I could do for what you're trying
to do for me."

   He considered the idea for a moment, then decided, "Ok let's do that.

I'll tell Akane and Ranma where I'll be then join you."

   "Ok it's a plan," Hinako said eagerly.

   He started to leave but turned back, "Umm, do you know if they're
still here?"

   She nodded, "It's their turn for clean up, they should still be in
the
class room."

   "Ok, thanks," that said he zooms off. *What an unusual person. There
aren't many that would be willing to try and help me, especially for
knowing me so short a time. Oh well, I guess I'll find out why
eventually.* Humming to herself Hinako followed Druid at a more sedate
pace.

   When Druid reached the classroom, he relieved to see that Akane and
Ranma were still there, "Yo."

   "Where have you been?" Ranma demanded.

   "Sleeping, I had no idea how draining Hinako's attack was," Druid
deadpanned.

   Ranma and Akane groaned at the pun.

   "Why did she do that, she seemed to like you," Akane asked.

   Druid's answer was nonchalantly, "I asked her to."

   Ranma and Akane facefault, "You asked her to!?" they demanded
incredulously.

   To which Druid replied flippantly, "Yup."

   Seeing their murderous looks he relented, "I was trying to understand

what it was that Happosai did to her that makes her change. I think if I

work on it enough I could possibly cure her."

   Confused Ranma asked, "Why not just use those pressure points? If
she'll let you do it you could stop her ki drain."

   "I'm sure I could but that's not what I'm after. I want her to be
able to STAY in her adult form, for that's what she is. I'm going to her

house for a time this evening. I'll work on her problem a bit more, then

be back in the evening."

   "Are you sure you'll be all right?" Akane asked concerned.

   "Relax, it won't be that bad." Famous last words.

----Chapter Six----

   Much later that evening as Druid trudged home, he felt a darkness
forming, something other than a lack of light. *This darkness doesn't
feel normal. It has a decidedly magical feel to it. I don't know what it

is but I don't like it!*

   He hurried on his way and he eventually staggered into the dojo. He
saw that everyone was in the living room, except for Genma.

   *Oh right, I think I did hear him say that he was going to be staying

home now that the cruses had been revealed.*

   He noticed a number of worried looks on their faces and hastened to
reassure them, "Hinako sensei didn't hurt me."

   He knew he hit his mark when he saw relief on everyone's face, except

for Ranma, who had a far away look.

   *He must be feeling the same thing I am!* Druid guessed.

   Nonchalantly Druid sat down to eat his dinner, as Nabiki, Soun, and
Kasumi went off to do their own thing, leaving just him and Ranma.

   Looking around curiously, Druid asked, "Where's Akane?"

   Ranma huffed, "That uncute tomboy is up in her room."

   Druid looked Ranma over and noticed a bruise on his face, "You two
get in a fight again?"

   "Shampoo glommed onto me on the way home from school, and the stupid
tomboy misinterpreted it... again! That's how I got the bruise."

   Druid could see the angry hurt in his eyes and decided to change the
subject. Lowering his voice he asked, "Do you feel it?"

   Startled Ranma asked nervously, "Feel what?"

   "The darkness," he clarified.

   He was surprised to see Ranma SMILE when he heard that, "It's not
my imagination!" he crowed. Then he sobered, "yes I do."

   "Why don't you come with me into my room, maybe we can figure out
what the heck it is that we're feeling."

   He lowers his voice even further, "Let's keep this quiet for now, I
don't think either of us would want to explain this right now."

   Ranma's expression turned sour, "Yeah, I can just imagine what Akane
might say."

   Furtively they got up and headed upstairs. Entering Druid's room,
Ranma watched with interest as Druid waved his hand, causing the
illusion that covered the floor to clear. revealing what lay underneath.

   In the center was a many pointed star. On the left and right between
the points were the images of an owl and a wolf. On the top and bottom
there was a unicorn and a Dragon. All of it was surrounded by two
circles, one out a foot further than the other. The whole thing glowed a

whitish green.

   Ranma looked at it wonderingly, "How long has this been here?"

   Druid smiled as he sat on the floor, "Since the first day you brought

me here. Now... come here and sit down."

   Ranma bristled at Druid's authoritarian tone, *Who does he think he
is, ordering he around like that!*

   He stalled for a moment, but gave in once he saw the dead serious
look Druid gave him.

  He would never admit it but he was nervous. *Magic is still new to me,

and I think I'm seeing in on a very high order.*

   He sat down opposite of Druid and asked somewhat brusquely, "Now
what?"

   Druid had his eyes closed and said only, "Watch closely."

   Ranma watched as light rose from the inner circle to englobe them.
Looking closely he could see lines of varicolored energy running through

it. looking closer still he could just perceive a dome of blackness
rising from the outer circle.

   He began to reach out with a tendril of his own energy when Druid
shouted, "DON'T!"

   Ranma pulled back into himself and looked at Druid.

   His face was completely white. He gasped out, "I should have warned
you Ranma. If you had actually touched that shield... I don't know what
exactly would have happened but you might have died!"

   Ranma not to show how shaken he was, "What exactly do they do?"

   Druid's color returned, and he looks pleased, "You saw the second
outer one?"

   "Yes."

   "I'm surprised. The inner circle is protection from attack. The outer

one will hopefully keep us from being noticed. I'm glad you were able
to see the second one Ranma, I wasn't sure you could."

   Ranma grinned, "I can do anything."

   "Good. Now, I want you to try and open your mind and lend me your
strength. I have almost no reserves left. I want to link us together,
you'll be able to see what I see as I explore whatever this darkness is.

It'll also link you to the protections I have in place."

   Ranma felt uncertain, but hid it well, "How do I do that?"

   Relaxing himself Druid suggested, "First relax, don't be so tense."
Druid watched Ranma carefully and saw Ranma slowly do as he'd been
asked. "Good, now try extending a mental 'hand' to me, I'll take care of

it from there."

   Ranma haltingly reaching outside himself, and Druid gently made
contact.

   "Close your eyes, you'll be seeing things with your inner eye," Druid

suggested. "It can be confusing seeing two things at once."

   Druid took a deep breath, then carefully sent his sight outside the
house and into the darkness. It looked like smoke, with alternating
streaks of grey and black.

   "It seems to be moving," Ranma noted, and it was.

   For as far as they could see it seemed to moving toward a central
location. Letting himself flow with the movement he eventually reached a

house where a column of the darkness extended down into it.

   Sending their sight inside they got a shock. Sitting with in her own
circle was Nodoka, who appeared to be under attack.

   Druid broke the link and slumped to the floor, intentionally leaving
Ranma in a daze.

   Haltingly Druid got up and staggered over to his pack, pulling off
his
necklace as he moved. Touching the stone to each of the clasps, he
opened it up, and reached down to the very bottom. He pulled a large
globe
of crystal out, at least six inches in diameter.

   Turning to face Ranma he explained, "I'm sorry for what I just did to

you Ranma, but if I hadn't you would have immediately gone to help your
mother. I couldn't let you do that."

   Enraged Ranma shouted, Oh yeah!? Why is that?!?!"

   Druid locked eyes with Ranma, "You don't know enough about magic to
to fight what was attacking your mother. I haven't a clue as to what it
is, but it is powerful."

   Ranma wasn't fazed at all, "So? I can't let that stop me!"

   Druid smiled, "Good, I didn't think it would."

   Confusion overtook Ranma, "I thought you didn't want me to go?"

   Druid nodded, "True, in part. What I want is to go with you."

   "Why didn't you say that in the first place!?" Ranma demanded.

   "Simple, right now I'm too wiped out to even think of going outside
the house, let alone doing any more magic. That's what this is for, I
hope." He held up the crystal.

   "What does it do?"

   Druid's look became reminiscent, "seven years ago I was just
finishing up my training as a mage, which had lasted ten years.

   As I was getting ready to leave my Master came to my room. He pointed

at me and said, "Hold out your hand," and I did."

   He held up the blue green crystal, "THIS appeared in my hands. I
asked him what it was, but he wouldn't say. All he said about it was
this, 'That is yours, for you in part created it. While it exists you'll

be limited, but you won't be able to destroy it. There will come a time
where you have such need for your magic that you'll not have enough time

to recover before you're needed again. When that time comes I want you
to hold that up and say, OPEN.'

   "What we just did shouldn't have exhausted me as much as it did. If I

don't do something soon I'm going to kill myself from overusing my
abilities. So, I'm going to use this and hope."

   "Have you tried using it before?" Ranma asked curiously.

   Druid looks rueful and frustrated, "Yes I have. Three times to be
exact. You have no idea how stupid I felt when it didn't work that first

time. It took weeks before everyone stopped teasing me constantly about
it."

   Ranma laughed despite his worry.

   Grasping his staff with his free hand and held it out to Ranma,
"You're the only one that can take this safely. Hold it for me?"

   Gingerly Ranma took it. He felt the power coursing through it, and
was touched by Druids trust.

   He puts on a confident look, "Heh, you'll get it back soon," and
stepped out of the circle.

   Standing in exact center of the room, Druid held up his hand and
shouted, "OPEN!!"

   A point of light formed in the center of the crystal, then shot out,
creating a plane of vertical light in the top half of it. Then it spread

out, changing the sphere from crystal to light.

   Flaring brilliantly, it then disappeared. A moment passed before
Druid was engulfed in blue green flames. They didn't burn him, but
seeped into his skin, and revitalized him.

   When the flame died down, Ranma saw that Druid had changed. His
clothes had changed from dark to light green, with an abstract silver
tracery. On his right breast a unicorn was depicted in silver, and Ranma

could see a dragon in silver on his back. Also on his back was a
scabbard, which seemed to be a part of his clothes.

   Walking over to his belongings Druid pulled his sword from its
scabbard, and the hilt and blade turned a brilliant silver. As he
sheathed the sword in it's new home, both faded from view.

   Taking his staff from Ranma Druid turned to face the window as the
crystal changed from clear to a swirling green.

   There was one more surprise in store for Druid. On an impulse he
couldn't fathom, he changed to his female form. He laughed at what
happened, shouting, "You knew old wolf! How?!"

   His clothes had changed with him, becoming a dress with a long skirt,

belted with silver at the waist. The motif had stayed the same however.

   Druid changed back to his male form with a wry smile on his face,
"Okay Ranma, lets go see if we can do anything for your mother."

   *He seems to be taking this calmly.* Ranma mused to himself as they
left Druid's room. His expression hardened, *Whoever is attacking mom is

going to regret it!*

   Resolutely Ranma took Druid to his mother's home.

   When they arrived, Ranma could see the dark energy seeping down into
the roof of the house from the sky. *I'll KILL whoever is responsible
for this!*

   As they entered they felt Nodoka working fiercely to protect herself.

They hurried from room to room, and quickly burst into her work area.

   Nodoka sat withing her own protective circle, determination emanating

from her.

   Genma lay sprawled next to her, unconscious.

   Ranma rushed across her protective circle, and was unharmed by her
protections.

   *Must have something to do with being her son,* Druid mused.

   When he touched his mother Ranma fell to the ground unconscious,
somehow maintaing contact with her as he fell.

   *He must have linked with her,* Druid guessed.

   As Ranma fell, he heard a crash coming from the vicinity of the front

door. *Uh oh.* he thought with dread.

   Quickly he drew his sword, which began to glow an emerald green as he

stepped between the others and whatever was coming.

   The first intruder to reach the room met Druid, and his sword.


----Chapter Seven----


   The first thing Ranma saw was a void.

   *Where am I?" he wondered in confusion.

   Looking around he saw his mother in the distance. He tried to move,
but it was like moving through molasses. He made very little progress,
though as he got closer he saw THINGS trying to get at her.

   He cried out, "Mother!"

   Startled, she whipped her head around. She saw him and held out her
hand. Ranma reached out to her, and he was there next to her.

   Now that he was close to her Ranma, could see her attackers much
better. Formless, and seemingly made of some kind of slime, the only
uniting factor was their color, black. They were plastered against some
invisible wall, unable to reach them.

   Before he could say anything, one of the thing struck a blow against
Nodoka's  shield. The force of it made her grunt, and caused Ranma to
see red.

   He shouted in rage, "MOUKO TAKABISHA!" sending a ball of ki that
smashed into the attacking spell, weakening it.

   Without a word being said, mother and son fell into a link, ready to
fight the invading darkness.

   They didn't realize that what they did shouldn't have been possible,
all they worried about was fighting off the attacker.

   {� Bad transition}

   Druid wearily set himself, pulling up his sword as another of the
constructs came through the door. *Oh great, ANOTHER one.*

   Their bodies were vaguely human shaped. That is if you could ignore
the fact that they seemed to have no head and covered in a dense black
fur.

   They were fiendishly hard to touch with magic, as had Druid found
out, painfully.

   Attempting to end the altercation the easy way he had called out,
"Sleep," assuming that they would fall asleep. They didn't. All his
magic did for him was slow them down a little.

   *This isn't good. If my magic won't affect them I'm going to have to
use my sword.* He grimaced, *I don't like cutting into things."

   He hadn't allowed that to interfere with his ability fight however.

   His newest opponent hesitated, as Druid could feel the oppressive
darkness dissipating.

   He felt a wind pass by behind him. After dispatching his current
opponent, he turned and got a surprise.

   Ranma and Nodoka had come out of their trance. Ranma was fighting a
monster that had been sneaking up behind Druid.

   Raising her hand, Nodoka sent forth a bold of fire, frying another
monster as it entered. She turned her attention to Ranma, but he had his

opponent well in hand. With a carefully controlled ki blast he turned
the
construct to ash.

   In a flash Nodoka rushed up to Ranma and engulfed him in a hug.
Overwhelmed with pride she shouted, "Oh my son!"

   Setting him at arms' length she continued, "Are you all right?"

   Druid answered for him, "He's too good to be hurt by these things."

   She watched as Druid cleaned the blade of his sword, then sheathed
it.

   "How...?" she began, then halted. She wasn't sure how to approach
this person. He'd beaten near death because of her.

   Druid could feel her uncertainty, "How did we know that you were in
danger?"

   She nodded mutely.

   "As I was walking home I felt the... darkness building. When I saw
Ranma he seemed to be unsettled. I asked him if he felt it and he
said that he did. I brought him up to my room and together we were
able to tell it was centered on you, and we came running."

   She looked at Ranma confused, "How were you able to feel it? You
didn't show signs of magic when you were a boy."

   Ranma shrugged, "I would feel it any way. My battle senses are very
good."

   Druid raised an eyebrow, prompting him to add, "Druid taught to use
magic, and gave me a book to read." He decided no to mention that he had

barely looked at the book.

   Druid gave her a searching look, "Now I have a question for you, what

was that?"

   She winced, "I....... It's known as the �shadow life. Essentially
it's a reflection of the life force of it's wielder, able to snuff out
the lives of others, easily.

   {� UGH! Shadow life?! I need a better name than that!}

   its form is part of the effect, meant to suck up light and magical
energy, to cause terror and despair. Many mages don't live past their
first encounter with it, if they're unprepared. My Master taught me how
to combat it, but would not teach me how to use it."

   Ranma was shocked, "Why would you want to use it?!"

   Sadly she looked at him, "I wanted to find you Ranma. One of its
properties is the ability to seek out just about anyone, no matter how
well they hide."

   "Oh," was all Ranma could say to that.

   She walked over to Genma and gave him a surprisingly tender look, and

knelt down beside him. Ranma and Druid watched as she placed her hand on

his head. She sent a probe into his body, pulling out the darkness that
lay within.

   Halfway through the process Druid saw her beginning to falter. She
HAD just been through a major magical battle after all.

   He moved to Genma's other side and placed a hand over hers,
surprising her greatly.

   She paused, a reprimand on her lips, but left it unsaid. She looked
at him and was awe struck when he allows an aspect of his aura to flare
a brilliant green, "you're a healer!" she gasped.

   He inclined his head gravely, "Yes, I am. You have no idea how
disappointed I was to find out, that I would always be a better healer
and enchanter than a combat mage."

   Something made her doubt that now, "You don't seem to be bothered by
it anymore."

   She smiled at him, and he reciprocated, "You're right. Who would have

thought that I would actually like being a healer. I now know that it's
what I seem to be destined for. I still feel disappointed though, at
certain times."

   She gave him a LOOK which he ignored. She gave up, and together they
continued to heal Genma. She followed his lead, as he delicately
removed the last threads of darkness from him, soothing the pain
uncovered in the process.

   Once they were finished Druid wearily took Nodoka's hand and helped
her up. They turned to Ranma, his mother speaking for them both, "Ranma,

please take your father to our room. He should be waking up soon, but I
don't want him laying here."

   As Ranma picked up his father, he couldn't hold his question in, "Why

are you letting him hold your hand like that?!"

   Letting her facade go, Nodoka withered in exhaustion, "He's the only
reason I'm standing up at all."

   She just managed to make that statement before she blacked out,
falling into Druid's arms.

   Picking her up, Druid inclined his head, "Lead the way."

   Ranma showed him to their room. They placed them down gently, and
Druid cast a spell as he covered them.

   The air above them changed to a pale green. Ranma had to resist
falling asleep then and there, just for LOOKING at it!

   Druid turned an imploring look on Ranma, letting his own exhaustion
show. "Can you find someplace for me to sleep? Please?!"

   Bemused he watched as Druid fell to the floor, utterly wiped out.

   Despite the situation Ranma chuckled to himself, *Heh that seems to
be going around tonight.*

   Shrugging He picked Druid up and took him to his own room.

   Ranma looked the room over, *This place is still strange to me. I
haven't been here all that much since mom found out about me. I wonder
why they had me stay at the Tendou's?*

   He shelved that question for later, and laid Druid down. He rummaged
around for something to sleep on, *I thought I saw something around
here... AH HA!*

   Inside the closet he found another futon and pulled it out.

   He set it out, and as he lay down he saw a green light above him
as he too fell asleep.


----Chapter Eight----


   The next morning brought some abuse on Druid's head.

   "What do you mean you made us all sleep!?" Genma yelled aggrieved.
"We could have been attacked and they would have had no problem killing
you me and ...," he continued to rant for sometime.

   Druid gave him a withering look. "Didn't you think to consider the
fact that I might have planned for it?"

   "Huh? What do you mean?" was Genma's gruff response.

   Druid took on a lecturing voice, "the enchantment I cast would have
dissipated long before anything actually got near us."

   Genma bristled, "I don't care for your tone."

   Nodoka and Ranma sat next to each other at the table, sipping tea.
Gulping would have been a better description in Ranma's case.

   Nodoka calmly looked at her husband, "I would have told you that if
you'd stayed around long enough for me to finish."

   Genma rubbed his head, "Well..... I was wrong Druid, sorry."

   Druid couldn't believe his ears, Genma, apologizing?! The sun must
surely be rising in the west!

   He decided not to make a big deal of it, and shrugged it off. "It's
alright. I can understand why you feel that way, considering what
happened."

   Genma was spared more embarrassment by an unexpected source, Ranma.
"Hey pop, we haven't sparred yet. You getting too old for me?" He had an

immensely self assured smirk on his face.

   This was a challenge that Genma couldn't refuse, "Ranma, outside!"

   They race out the door, and soon after sounds of combat could be
heard.

   Neither would admit it, but they enjoyed sparring together, it was
one of the few things they had in common.

   Nodoka sighed, "Always combat, always improving their skills. When
will I have time to be together with them?"

   Druid set down his cup, "What you need is a faster way to get to
the Tendo's."

   She agreed, "Yes, but how do we arrange that?"

   She saw a speculative look form on his face.

   With hope in her eyes, she asked, "Do you have an idea?"

   Trying to asses her knowledge he inquired, "Do you know what a Gate
is?"

   Hope began to glitter in her eyes, "You mean a magical portal between

one place and another?"

   He inclined his head in assent, "Exactly. What say we make one that
would bridge the gap between here and there?"

   Nodoka found the idea VERY appealing, "Yes lets!"

   Smiling at her, something came to mind, and Druid's look became
grave. "You may want to teach Ranma to use his magic more effectively. I

helped him find he could do it, but he hasn't done anything with it
since
then, as far as I know."

{� THUNK!}
   Nodoka's expression mirrored his as she talks, "I think that might be

wise. We'll probably want his help making the Gate anyway."

   A question occured to Druid, "Do you know who or what was attacking
you
last night?"

   "Not entirely., but when I was young I came across a similar event
and I was still learning the art.. My aunt was teaching me, my mother
didn't have the spark.

   Something came to her, but she never told me exactly what it was. All

I do know is it threatened her, telling her to stop practicing magic. As

you know asking a magic user to forsake her art is like asking the sun
to rise in the west, just because you want it to.

   She flat out refused, and in the ensuing battle she won with ease.
She sealed whatever it was away, and it hasn't been able to break free
since. I think what she did was what inspired Genma and Soun to seal
Happosai the way they did.

   It isn't completely sealed however, at least not any more. It can
reach out and do what was done last night. It's trying to kill all the
students of my teacher. She passed away a year ago."

   "Why does it want to do that? Do you have any idea?"

   Nodoka nodded, "We, her students, are what's holding in it's prison.
If we're gone..." she left the rest unsaid.

   Deep in though he asked, "Do you know where it's sealed up?"

   She answered almost eagerly, "Yes I do."

   He stood, "Well, lets take care of my idea first, if you're willing.
You, Ranma, and I can create a passage between the dojo, then we can go
on from there."

   She looked at him questioningly as she nodded, "Where are you going?"

   He grinned, "To watch Ranma and Genma of course. I haven't seen them
fight  n a while. I wonder how long it'll take them to find cold water
here."

   With a laugh he was out the door.

   *That will be interesting to see.* She frowned at Druid's back, *Why
is he doing this for us?*

   She pushed that thought aside, *Oh well, I'll find out, it'll just
take a little time.* That decided she joined Druid outside.

   It wasn't long before Druid's question was answered. It started to
rain not long after they got outside.

   By the time they got inside it was pouring buckets. While Ranma-chan
and Genma panda dried off, Nodoka heated some water and Druid explained
his idea.

   "Basically it'll mean that you'll be able to live here, but you'll
also be able spend time with the Tendo's."

   He didn't need to add was that it would also make it very easy to get

back and forth if either place was attacked.

   Ranma spoke from under a towel, "It sounds like a good idea, but how
long would it take?" She looked over at her mother, "Could you put
some of that water into something for me? I'll just get wet again on the

way to school."

   Druid answered Ranma's first question as Nodoka poured the water into

a thermos. "If you both are willing to help, I think we could get it
done
the day after tomorrow."

   The now human Genma spoke up, "What does it take to make one of
these... Gates?"

   "What we'll need to do first, is find or make something to be the
physical anchor for here and in the dojo. Once that's in place, we'll
need Nodoka here, and Ranma at the Tendo's."

   Nodoka narrowed her eyes, "And where will you be Druid?"

   "I'll be near Ranma. If you think you can manage it I'll let you
handle the overall construction of the gate. I'll be muffling magical
shock wave that such a creation would make, and help some in its
construction. Creating a permanent Gate can be really noisy."

   Comprehension dawned on them, "That is very wise of you Druid," Genma

responded gravely.

   Thoughtfully Nodoka mused, "I think I should create the anchor for
this end of the gate, it'll make it easier for me to work with."

   Druid replies with understanding, "That's a good idea. If you wish
I'll give you some help making it, then I'll go back to the Tendo's and
borrow to make the anchor for over there."

   Ranma was unsure about that, but he wasn't going to show it, "Ok,
when do we start?"

   "As soon as your mother is ready."

   Genma stood, "DO what you think you need to, but Ranma and I need to
leave."

   Grabbing up a bundle Genma was out the door, followed by a reluctant
Ranma, thermos in hand.

   Nodoka sighed, "They're always away from me!" she lamented. She just
barely held herself back from crying, not wanting to make a scene in
front of Druid.

   She was shocked when Druid engulfed her in a hug, "I hope that will
change."

   She felt the compassion coming from him and let herself go enough to
cry.

   Druid smiled sadly down at her, thinking of his own mother. *I wish
all mothers were like her. Well... as she is now at any rate.*

   Directing Nodoka to a couch he sat down with her, willing to wait as
long as necessary for her to finish.

   Eventually she pushed herself away, "I don't know what come over me,
I'm sorry...," she sniffed.

   Surprised by his response, she stared at him as he spoke, "Well you
can't exactly hold everything in."  He continued in a much softer tone,
"I don't mind. If it made you feel better, that's all that matters to
me."

   She gazed at him wonderingly, "How can you say that? It's my fault
you got hurt by Ranma. How can you treat me so kindly?"

   Druid winced at the reference to his, massacre. "You might recall
that
I provoked Ranma into fighting me. Granted it was to show you that there

was more than met the eye as far as his curse was concerned, but I went
into that knowing what might happen."

   *I don't need to tell her I didn't think I'd get hurt nearly that
badly,* he shuddered inwardly.

   Wanting to change the subject, Druid stood and held his hand out to
to her, "Shall we get started? It's going to take a while to prepare
someplace here and in the dojo, so we may as well get started."

   Smiling hesitantly she put her hand in his, "Yes... let's do that."


----Chapter Nine----


   Two days later Ranma was at the end of the upstairs hall in the Tendo

home, waiting for Druid's signal.

   Shortly Ranma heard him shout,  "Now Ranma!"

   Closing his eyes, Ranma did as his mother had shown him.
Concentrating on an image of her in his mind, he 'reached' out to her.
Even though they had practiced this before, he was still amazed when he
felt contact with her.

   *Are you ready Ranma?* she asked.

   Showing as much confidence as he could he sent back, *Whenever you
are!*

   *Ok, then let's begin.*

   Ranma noticed Druid join the link as a veil was drawn between them
and the rest of the world.

   Taking her proffered 'hand' with Druid's help, he wove the thread of
energy she gave him into the anchor his mother and Druid had made.

   Made of a metalic green substance, the anchors were imbedded in the
floor, ceiling, and walls.

   Neither Druid nor his mother would tell him what they were made of
saying respectively, "It's hard to say, maybe when you learn more."

   His mother was more blunt, "It's too complicated to explain until
you've spent more time learning magic."

   This was frustrating to him, but he knew he wasn't going to get
anything more than that, for now.

   At each thread was passed to him, Ranma would weave each strand into
one of the anchor pieces. As he grew more deft, Druid slowly withdrew
his help, until Ranma was doing it entirely on his own.

   Barely able to keep up with his mother, Ranma peripherally sensed
Druid doing something else. The weaving took too mouch of his
concentration to be able to feel much of it though.

   Soon the gate began to take form.

   Ranma was just barely able to sense Druid doing something as he wove,

but it took too much concentration to figure out just what. Slowly bit
by bit the frame of the Gate was built.

   Halfway through it's construction, Ranma detected a warping of space,

as if it was being twisted. This continued until it was nearly compete.
As the last strands were laid, there was a wrench as the portal formed
in its entirety.

   Ranma stared through the portal. He could see his mother and father
on the other side.

   Confidently Nodoka stepped through, appearing right next to Ranma.
She gave him a hug she veritably shouted, "We did it!"

   "So we did," Druid agreed.

   They walk down the hall and go downstairs, and soon Genma came
through the portal to join them.



-

Afterward:


  It has come to my attention that this story is very lacking in
character development, after reading some other people's stories. It's
hard to miss. Hence for those of you who actually like this story are
going to have to wait a while for the third part while I fill in details

in part 1 and two.

   Fear not though. I have begun part three, although there isn't very
much to it yet. I want to make sure to maintain at least a semblance of
continuity as I go forward.

Side note,

   If anyone can come up with some other name than "Shadow Life" for
what
attacked Nodoka, I would GREATLY appreciate it. It sounds so corny, at
least to me.

Bree
druid@bbs.chemek.cc.or.us