DISCLAIMER:  I am using these characters without permission,
don't sue me.  The only one that belongs to me (so far) is Keiko.

Prologue

	Three figures walked up a hill in the midday sun.  "I haven't
seen it in years.  I wonder if it's still as beautiful as I remember."
Ranma asked slightly wistfully.

	"Well, boy, you'll be able to get a good look at it just over
this hill.  I really don't see what you're so excited about.  It's
just a big tree."  Genma braces for his son's attack that he knows is
coming.  And waits.  Looking up, he can see why his son stopped.  Despite
his show of indifference, he is taken aback with awe.  The Millennium Tree;
standing for over 200 years, and at least 1,000 feet tall, its branches
spread out over the city of Kyoto.  As a matter of fact, it even houses
a good amount of the population in its pods.  It is the foundation,
the living backbone of the New Empire.  Shrugging his shoulders, he
mentally relieved himself of his thoughts and continued into the town.
Calling back over his shoulder, Genma shouted "I�ll be back in a few hours.
Have fun staring at the big plant for a while, you two."  Ranma could take
care of any trouble that might be coming, of that he was sure.

	As Ranma topped the rise, his breath caught in his throat.  Yes,
the Millennium Tree was just as awe inspiring as he remembered.  It
towered over the other structures in the city of temples.  Spreading
out its branches  like a comforting blanket, it was the backbone,
indeed the benefactor of the New Empire.  Idly, Ranma wondered if it
was really conscious as they say.  But it had to be.  It had sprung
up just after the gods pronounced the Bachi on the world.  Millions
of people in Japan had died in a few short hours, and those that lived
found that they lived in a new world.  In just a few short weeks, the
monsters of legend had come back to life.  The goblins, demons, Tengu,
Dragons, and the terrible Oni.  The people lived in terror, but the
Tree had somehow formed a relatively safe haven from the monsters, it
provided protection in its branches and weapons to slay the monsters.
It provided hope.

	"Mmmm...", sounded a female voice which, in conjunction with
the said female hugging him lightly from behind with her head on his
shoulder, was enough to knock him out of his reverie, "...it's beautiful."

	Her close presence brought conflicting emotions to the fore of
his mind that he was completely unprepared to deal with at the moment.
"Keiko."  He said softly.

	"Umm.  Yes Ranma."

	"I'm sorry... I just can't... Not now..."

	"Oh, I'm sorry Ranma... it's just been months now, and well I
was hoping.  You can't just keep shutting us out like this."
Disengaging herself she stepped away from him.  She really was a
beautiful girl Ranma thought.  Her slightly curly blond hair cut fairly
short framed an impishly cute face, in which were set the most innocent
green eyes he had ever seen.  And to top it off she was a decidedly well
formed individual.  Ranma as usual had a hard time sorting out his
feelings for her.  He did like her...a lot, but she was also like a
sister to him.  His father had taken her in, an orphan, from an elder
Tengu in exchange for its training of Ranma.  When they were both
only 7 years old.  It was one of the few promises the old man had
ever kept.  Ranma just couldn't figure out what it was he felt for
her, was it brotherly love strong friendship, or something deeper
than that.

	"Lets just sit here and wait for pops to come back ok."

	"Ok Ranma, but just remember if you ever feel like talking
about it.  Just remember I am here for you anytime."  She lightly
touched his arm, almost a caress, before moving slightly away to sit
down.

	And thus the two of them sat, not touching, brother and sister,
for hours as the sun set behind the Millennium Tree and Genma returned.

	Noting their silence Genma grunted, "They aren't here.  They
moved about nine years ago to the Nerima district of Hiroshima.  For
the 'protection' they said.  Hmph."  This statement was greeted by
blank looks not even directed at him, and again Genma grunted.  Well
I�ll try what I know will get their attention.  Opening up a large
sack he proclaimed grandly, "Food!"

~~End Chapter 1~~

Kinda short don't you think.   Anyway a couple of notes.  The Bachi
is what the people of Japan call the Cataclysm in which most of the
world was ruined.  They believe it to have been sent by the gods to
show them their wrong path of technology and convince the people to
turn back to the land.  Anyways Hiroshima had disappeared from the
world a couple of months before the Cataclysm due to some strange event
and just returned to the world 10 years ago, with just a few days
passing for those inside.  Since that time many people from the New
Empire have taken shelter in its protection from the demons of The
Zone.  The Zone is where most of the evil monsters of Japan live
(not counting the humans) As for China it is a demon infested hell,
rife with death.  It is the home of the Demon Quellers which I have
made Ranma and Genma for this.  Albeit they are of the Saotome School
of Demon Quelling, but demon Quellers nonetheless.  And for all you
pervs out there no there is nothing previous going on between Keiko
and Ranma.  They are just close and Ranma has been keeping her at a
distance ever since his little...accident over in China.  Um well that's
it for now. 

Sir Olin 'Neplusultra' Petty
Defender of the Honor of the True Fiancee  AKANE
3rd disciple of Eriond watcher of the sunken apostate
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/3488/index.html
Sign The Book Of Words

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To love but in living love to die but once at peace.
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The sunlight shatters upon the shadow of despair revealing what is
and always was you, whole, afraid.
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love is faith / is unknowing / be all hallowed / in the eye of / nothing
/ shanti / end.  
~Ian M. Banks  Feersum Endjin

Anytime there is anything so ridiculously dangerous that no rational
human being would even consider trying it, they send for me.
~Belgarion 

***End Signal***