Ranma 1/2 A Chinese Ghost Story - Chapter 4
By Kahlil Noriega
All rights belong to Rumiko Takahashi, creator of Ranma 1/2 and to the
creators of the movie "A Chinese Ghost Story" to which I based this Fanfic
from.
*Authors note:
This is a Ranma 1/2 alternate universe fanfic to which some details may
greatly defer from the original - Enjoy!
*Legend:
[ ] - Characters thoughts and maybe feelings even part of a dream.
{ } - Added descriptions, events, scene locations and others.
< > - Sound effects for events.
Chapter 4 " When the first petal falls " (rough draft)
Night time in the forest...
Where the silent empty fields stood idly by at the foot of the mountain...
Quiet. Peaceful, nothing but the emptiness and the wind...
Soft dark-green grass swayed gently in the silent breeze, flowing like the
waves of the sea. Rushing in like a gentle caressing tide, as the wind
swept pass over them. Their bodies silhouetted and masked by the light from
the moon above, playing gently in the stillness of the dark night.
The forest beyond the sea of grass stood silent. And looming in the
distance...
Its leaves fluttering and chatting like so many children, as they swayed in
the branches of the trees. Swaying, as the wind passed underneath them.
Their soft cries, almost childlike in its nature, blended smoothly with the
hollow voice of the breeze. And the leaves cast in the dark, and
silhouetted by the night...
And the wind continued on...
Farther still...
Deeper into the undergrowth...
While the leaves tumbled with the dust that rose softly, willingly, off of
the cold hard ground...
Continuing on into the shadows of the woods...
Over gently flowing waters and streams...
Pass the stoic faces of worn out rocks. Run smooth by time...
Caressing the flowers hanging from the trees. Ripping off their soft
scented petals from their fragile bodies, to move. And flow, unwillingly,
with the passing current of the wind...
Their excitement, rising as the distance slowly ticked away...
Travelling deeper into the night...
Darting over, large stone steps, of an otherwise, almost empty and dark
grey temple.
Past the shadows of the stone pagodas, that lined a small and quiet pool.
Guarding its corners like stone statues, as the waters in the pool stirred
and tossed, in soft gentle waves. Reflecting back the light from the silent
moon above...
And just as suddenly, the calm is disturbed...
The surface broken by the touch of a single leaf that sent out ripples
spreading out from its body. While Lotus petals, soft and white as snow,
rocked in the motions of the clear dark sparkling water. Letting the tides
wash over them, and settle. Till finally the surface is again, still, and
flowing freely.
And once again, the calm silence of the night, resumes...
***
{Inside of the temple in Ranko's Room}
< Darkness >
The hiss of a match sparking to light echoed within the room's hollow
confines. Burning brightly, pushing away the darkness, as it flickered in
the silent breeze. Shielded by a soft quivering hand as it lighted the wick
of a nearby candle. That stood stoic in the face of eternal darkness, for
quite some time. Illuminating the room with soft tones of yellow and red as
well as touch of gold, against a back drop of eternal black.
And as the fire from the lighted candle slowly brightened the room, in its
light stood a handsome young man. Stooped over the flame of the candle, as
he gently gathered it into his hands, and carried it over to a nearby table
that stood by the foot of the bed. And laid it down gently to rest, on its
hard wooden surface.
Ranma stood quietly as he watched the fire flicker and dance on the wick of
the candle. Its light, chaotic in nature, as did the shadows playing on the
walls, yet he felt comfort wash over him nonetheless. The heat from the
candle was a welcome thing. Warming him free of the night's bitter cold.
And he sighed in contentment, as he took a chair from the side of the
table, and sat quietly.
Elbows draped over its hard and rough wooden surface, he cradled his head
in his hands. Trying to recall this night's events. The candle before him,
casting hi-lights on his face and hair, his eyes shining brightly in the
candlelight.
Images flickered and danced in the fire, images he wished to etch inside
his head. So that he could never forget. One by one, each image was
consumed by the fire, only to be replaced by yet another. Following the
other, that each one lead unto the next as if replaying some scene, over
and over again.
And his mind, tried to consume it all, till he could no longer hold on to
fleeting images...
Leaning back against the chair, he stared up at the picture on the wall.
The girl whom he thought a ghost only a moment before was now a real person
for him. As real as his mind wanted him to believe. His mind flashing and
recalling pass images of this girl back in the shrine.
She was real! He knew that now. Even as he closed his eyes, he could still
feel her near him. Touching him, caressing his cheeks, as did he on hers.
As he stared into her eyes once again, as he tried to recall...
Recall it all...
***
{The flame burning on the candle shifted and swayed. Forming images that
compressed and flowed to take shape. Images of the night a moment ago...}
{In another time and place...}
The lake...
With its dark, glassy waters...
Sparkling in the moonlight.
Invitingly cold and serene...
Flowing gently from an unknown source as soft-white mist hovered gently
over its waves.
Shapeless and ghost like in form.
Almost translucent in colour, while the dark green forest loomed in the
background. Standing silently on the shore.
Obscured by the mists...
Yet all too present in the all consuming darkness of the night...
Cold, faceless and empty...
Firelight bathed the surface of the water as soft silken threads freely
fluttered in the breeze.
Rippling like the waters below it. The soft silken sheets danced...
Hanging from a wall less shrine. Where within, more curtains fluttered and
spiralled around a single pair.
Alone and seemingly in love...
And the silken sheets parted before the wind...
Faces so close that it seemed nearly impossible to escape from looking into
each other's eyes...
Her hand caressing his hair... as it slid down to his cheek to rest on his
muscled chest...
As the man smiled down at her. Seemingly in heaven...
And as the rekindling of old emotions she thought long buried in the past
100 years or so.
Lovers both of them though none would admit it. Sitting across from each
other, their faces only a foot away. Her gentle posture bespoke of grace
honed to perfection by time, while her partner bore the blunt of wisdom and
of strength with the endurance and gentleness required.
Her head slightly tilted to he side, her eyes partly closed as if dreaming
and holding a wonder of wonder as well as she gently played with the mans
black hair. Brushing his long bangs to the side and bringing her hand down
to caress his cheek and lay it gently on his strong and muscled chest as
her fingers gently played with the lapels of his collar. As she sat there a
foot away from him, her upper body almost leaning onto him as she supported
her self with he other arm, while her legs were positioned away from them
with one leg bent the other straight out behind her. Her cloth robes,
conforming even more to her body with the slightest of breaths as she toyed
with the ideas playing in her mind.
The man meanwhile sat there on his haunches, legs off to the side with his
torso facing hers as he gently rub the hand that supported her. All the
while gazing at her turned face. The firelight from the candles surrounding
them, cast gentle hi-lights on her cheeks. Making her hair shine, and her
eyes sparkle in the night. His pulse quickening as he suppressed the urges
he felt every time he would look at her slightly parted lips. Red as the
rose was red and even more, as he tried to think what it would be like to
press his lips on her own. The way her body moved, exciting him beyond
belief. The coldness of the night hardly ever mattered when the burning
furnace within him was all he needed.
Ranma couldn't shake the feeling off himself. The joy of feeling her touch
the sparkle in her eyes the redness of her lips to the very scent in the
air whenever she was near.
Akane sat there near Ranma, her hand still playing with the lapels of his
collar as she slowly began to recall memories from the past. Memories she
long thought forgotten, resurfacing as fast as her mind could begin
registering them.
The secret escapes together, to be alone with each other, willingly and not
forced into a marriage by their fathers. When they could pretend that
nothing existed except each other.
Those joyful times spent with each other's company. When all care for
responsibilities didn't matter at all. When they could be themselves...and
with each other.
Quiet times in the fields... flowers all around...Rolling on the green
grass... the soft petals in her hair, as she tried to arrange it back in
the proper place. And her love, moving close behind her, embracing her in
his arms, the touch of his cheek on her hair as he whispered sweet nothings
in her ear. The laughter that ensued they're after. The child play of two
simple people, not the prince or princess, but two people who were in
love...
Those silent walks, through the gardens...
The heart felt talks they shared...
Sitting underneath the shadows of the cherry trees as the moon slowly rose
to make itself twilight in the starry sky.
Holding hands as they rose together, his hands supporting her as she leaned
on his chest. Before they strolled over to stand on a quiet arched stone
bridge, where water freely flowed underneath.
The light shining in his eyes and the small smile he held as he held her
hands in his.
As they shared a tender kiss underneath the moonlight...
We were to be married, you and I...Akane thought
And then the fires came...
The shouts and screams of men...
It was a time of war...
Her father had to go and so did he...
He had to...
And I was...
No! It's not fair! I cried.
It's just isn't fair...
***
{A gentle hand on her shoulder...}
And the memories stopped flowing, and the present seemed much brighter. Her
thoughts stopped coming as she registered only the soft gentle hands on her
shoulders. The soft and caring eyes that looked down upon hers. And the
feeling behind them as Ranma held her close to him, comforting her...and
maybe even more...
And the pain and memories subsided...
As she looked up at him, eyes partly closed as she suppressed the flood of
emotions within her. His smile never wavered, assuring her that everything
would be all right...
And the tears came...
***
Ranma held her close to him, hands on her shoulders as he tried to comfort
her. Brushing a soft hand on her cheek as to wipe away the tears as he
looked at her. Her eyes partly closed and on the verge of tears. Looking at
her pained expression made him feel hurt as he tried to fight his own
sadness, to put on a mask of strength and comfort. When all the while he
felt like embracing her himself.
And she embraces him. Her tears coming out in gentle streams as she shook
with the emotional pain. And Ranma was shocked still for a moment as he
tried to sort out his conflicting emotions on what to do. And slowly, if
gently, he returned her embrace. Sharing her burden as she cried. Stroking
her hair to ease the pain as he said sweet nothings to relieve her of her
fears.
And slowly, she began to disentangle herself from him, wiping away the
tears with her hand as she supported herself with the other. And he felt a
pang of regret the moment he let her go, yet subdues the emotion, he would
not take advantage. She needed him to be strong right now. And he was going
to give it to her no matter what.
Slowly Akane felt an arm encircle her. Drawing her closer to him as he
helped her to stand. His left arm sliding down to her waist as his other
hand gently wiped away her tears as he began to rearrange her hair back
from her tear streaked face as he held a mask of concern on his face.
"Tell me. What's wrong?"
["So like him, but not him..."] she thought.
"May be I could help somehow." Ranma said sincerely as he looked down at
her.
"No...I have to go..." she said softly, a bit hesitantly.
"Go? Why?"
"Please...I have to go..." she implored as she disentangled herself from
his arms, which were reluctant to let go.
"Please tell me...Have I done something wrong?" worry and concern
intermixed with a touch of fear as he gazed into her eyes, pleading for an
answer.
"No. Please... Forgive me..." she said as she broke away and ran to the
forest.
"Wait!" Ranma said in surprise as much as in despair as he saw her break
away and dash off into the forest.
And she was gone.
["No, I mustn't hurt him."] Akane thought as she sped off into the night.
***
{Back in the room, the fire still dancing quietly on the wick}
The images in the flame slowly lost its clarity, as the feelings with in
the room slowly focused into mind.
As memories briefly resurfaced and died...
The scent of her perfume and the moon light on her hair. The softness of
her lips as he gazed into her eyes...She was real! And as quickly, she was
gone...
Gone...fleeing him. But why...
Standing up, Ranma moved over to the closed window and opened it.
The silent wind from outside rushing in to cool off the room as well as his
burning desire. His hair, tangling and flowing as the wind rushed pass his
face like a soft gentle caress as he leaned his hands on the windowsill.
Looking out into the night air, the forest looming far into the horizon
accompanied by the snow capped mountains behind them. Clouds drifting
slowly in the dark evening sky while the moon above stood silent, watching
everything pass by underneath it.
He could hear the leaves rusting in the trees, the soft calls of various
forest animals drifting in the cold night air...everything is as it should
be. And yet he felt lonely... longing for something more...though he could
not explain why.
Ranma stood there quietly. Letting the light from the moon wash over him
like gentle flowing water. Hi-lighting his hair and his face as he closed
his eyes viewing an image only he could see in his mind. Unaware of the
eyes that looked at him from behind. Silent and caring, tender and
loving...and a bit fearful as well...
***
Akane stood silently, one hand on the table, the other at her side.
Silently mulling over thoughts that greatly troubled her as she stroked the
hard wood table softy with her fingers. Unaware of her actions as she tried
to sort out her emotions and feelings. She was with him, since she first
entered his gourd, and stood outside beside him when he first lightened the
candle.
Even then, she felt anxious in seeing him again, though was unsure why.
Maybe a bit frightened of her own emotions as well, if ever she did see him
again. And what if he saw her, what then? Thus before coming out, she wove
her spell. Casting herself invisible to the eye that he could not see nor
feel her, but Akane could still see and feel him. And she felt already weak
kneed as if he were already looking at her...
Ranma standing there. Arms stretched over the windowsill, his strong back
showing his strong physique as the wind freely ruffled his hair. The light
of moon on his strong and handsome face...
She blushes at the thought of seeing him again. And there again she felt
that tiny bit of emotion swell inside her chest, which she hastily pushed
aside. As she turned her attention away from him, to look at the contents
of the room.
Walking to the side of the bed, she ran her fingertips on the soft white
cloth of the bed sheets. Thoughts surfacing unwillingly as a small blush
creeps up again on her cheeks as she rubbed her palm against the hard rough
wood of the bed poles, before examining the short wooden table beside the
bed. Her thoughts silently considering the rooms few belongings but always
straying to the one in which she desperately wished to avoid.
"Akane..."
Her wish to evade however was sadly defeated as her thoughts are turned to
the voice that spoke her name. And her surprise in hearing it was evident.
When her eyes suddenly enlarged and a small gasp escapes her lip, as she
hastily turns her head to look at him. Suddenly fearful that her cloak of
invisibility wore off without her even noticing it.
Relief turns to bitter disappointment though, and she was surprised at that
last knot of emotion, as she saw him still standing there beside the window
with eyes still tuned into the night. Though his head was bowed, this she
saw, as if mulling over bitter thoughts, as an aura of sadness wafted from
him to her.
Slowly, she rose off the bed she was sitting on a while ago, not noticing
that she was sitting on the bed when she first entertained her thoughts.
["What's happening to me?"] She thought as she stood there watching his
back. His eyes seemed to wander, she observed. Though what it could be, she
didn't know or couldn't tell.
However, curiosity overcame her as she slowly walked towards him. And
stopped to stand beside him, though avoiding looking into his face as she
looked out into the night sky. The clouds drifting in the moonlight, as the
wind softly rattled the leaves of the trees. She briefly turns her head to
look at Ranma, who even now was still in that world of dreams as he
continued looking out into the forests in the horizon.
["What could he see in that darkness?"] She thought.
["And what is this that I am feeling?"]
["Does he share what I am feeling?"] She thought quite puzzled and a little
curious as well.
["What am I to do?"] She thought as she bit her lower lip out of anxiety.
So many questions, so little answers. Akane felt helpless in the tide of
emotions she was now feeling. Wondering if he too felt like the way she did
for him. And if so, what to do about it. And as if on answer he spoke...
Unconsciously from his mind though, as his heart tried to voice out its
desires in the formation of words for emotions too vast to understand
completely. Yet simple enough to be felt...
"Could it be that I've met you before... or even seen you before. Maybe
even lov -" Ranma stopped as he stared off longingly at the forest in the
horizon as if seeing an image long forgotten and sighs. A long and
regretful sigh...
["...before..."] Akane voiced out in her mind as she stared up at Ranma. A
sudden sadness overcoming her, threatening to burst into a sea of tears.
His gaze never wavered from the forest before him, she saw...
["What could he be seeing?"]
"You were so beautiful when I first met you. Your eyes...your lips. The way
you graced the shrine every time, with the way you smiled. I can't help
feel something inside me burst alive whenever I look at you. I can still
you in my mind. All locked and treasured in my memory now..."
Akane blushes at what he said. Unable to contain her emotions that she
turned away to stare at the ground as he confessed his heart's true
desires. Unknowingly though, and that thought hurt her the most...
["...What should I do?..."]
"Just a memory now, I guess. One I'll cherish always... I don't know why
you fled so suddenly...maybe I did, maybe I do now...It's just all so
confusing..."
Ranma lowers his head as he stared down at the waters below in the pool.
Shifting and flowing in form, the light from the moon, reflecting off its
cool and almost calm surface. While the lotus petals, soft, pure and white
freely floated in its rocking waves. Almost lulling him to sleep, he wasn't
aware just how tired he was, until now...
"So beautiful...if only it could last forever."
Akane turned her head and stared at him for a long time, unsure of her own
feelings, and maybe unsure of her own thoughts as well. She couldn't put
her finger on what was wrong, yet she felt flattered nonetheless. Could her
own emotions be betraying her, she thought.
["No - it doesn't seem possible..."] A blush creeps up her cheek.
["So many concerns, so little time...oh Ranma...how could I..."] Akane was
at a lost for words in her mind. She felt helpless in the rushing tide of
emotions she now felt. She felt confused and a bit afraid.
Ranma straightens himself off of the windowsill. His eyes still staring far
off in the distance, while the wind gently played with his hair. Akane
turns her attention away from him to look at what he was looking at.
The forests in the distance...
Where they first met she thought... where her own troubles began, and where
she knew they must end. It worried her as her face wore a determined mask.
Concern, mixed with a touch of fear, so tightly packed they hardly seemed
recognisable in the pool of emotions she now felt. She just felt
helpless...
["What could it be?"]
Her concentration however wavers as she saw from a corner of her eye...
Ranma's hand slowly lifted up as she slowly turned her head to follow. And
she blushes in seeing him touch his lips, with the tip of his hand. His
eyes shining in the moonlight as the thought of kissing her played in his
mind...
Head bowed. And hand still hovering a few inches from his lips, he
recollects himself as he smiles deeply and straightens to his full height.
Joy and renewed hope filled him to the brim as he stood there watching the
forests from his post.
Akane shakes herself out of the image she saw a while ago.
["He was thinking of...!"]
She could not say it, as she could hardly even suppress the urge to blush
as it rose again without her consent. She really tried to stifle the joy
she felt welling up inside her, but it was no use, as a thought came into
mind and she blushed even further.
["I've seen enough..."] she thought finally. A blush creeping again on her
cheeks.
The image of them actually kissing replayed in her thoughts. She suppresses
the image though and smiled as she gathered her strength and flew out
through the window.
Once outside, hovering in mid-air. She turned around to look back at Ranma,
who was still looking out into the forests. His determined posture made him
look even handsomer as he stood there gazing out into the forest. With the
silent wind blowing back his hair. And his eyes shining in the moonlight.
Looking at him, she felt her cold dead heart, beat with renewed warmth. And
regretfully, she stifled down the emotion, as she turned and flew off into
the night. Leaving behind, a stray tear to vanish into the cold night to be
forgotten...
["It can never be..."] she said finally.
A sudden sadness over coming her. Threatening to engulf her in a sea of
tears as she sped off into the darkness.
["It can never be..."] she cried in her mind.
***
{Back at the temple}
Ranma continued to stare out into the night sky, long after Akane left him.
With him not knowing, as he brought his right hand inside his robe. And
pulled out a long piece of white cloth and held it before him.
["Her token to me before she left..."] he thought.
And he sighed at the thought of losing her, as he stared at that soft piece
of white cloth he held in his hand. Before turning to look at the still and
empty sky again, feeling the cold bite of the wind along his face. Making
him shiver and feel much colder inside. Much colder as if a void suddenly
opened up inside him. And it hurt.
Turning around so that now he faced the inside of his room. Ranma
regretfully hid the piece of white cloth back inside his robe again, as he
walked over to the table that held a small candle on top of its hard wooden
surface. Spotting the washbowl at the foot of the table, Ranma pauses for a
moment. Considering, as he stared at the cold sparkling water. The light
from the candle separating into different hues and colours as it played on
the waters cool surface.
And with a soft sigh, he takes it in hand and upends it over himself. The
transformation to his female self was over in a few seconds. Indicated only
by a slight tingling sensation on her skin due to the change.
Taking the lighted candle in hand, she blows the flame out and exits
through the door. Heading down the stairs to the inner courtyard of the
Temple and outside. But not before taking one last look behind her as she
departed through the door.
["Akane..."] she whispered softly. Out of longing and of regret, as she
finally closed the door behind her. And headed downstairs...
***
{Somewhere}
The night air...
Cool, crisp and free - a spirited wanderer. Traversing the fields and
plains, making the green grass sway in delight as it mimicked the movements
of the sea. And as a boatman wanders the waters of the ocean so does the
lone man travelling the woodland fields.
Alone - walking under the light of the moon, the sounds of the forest a
distant reprieve to the monotonous terrain of grass and trees.
Long bangs held back by numerous pieces of white cloths tied around his
temples partly covering his brown eyes. His plain woodland garb, unadorned.
With its sleeves wrapped in long pieces of white cloth that served almost
like a bandage to wounds but wasn't. Pants muddied and dull from wear, to
his conical shaped hat that he preferred to wear. Dangling behind him by a
long piece of string tied around his neck.
Ryouga walked silently, as his mind drifted on the image of the girl he met
back in the town he just left several hours ago. It was a pleasant meeting
and she was cute, now that he thought about, as he played with the flower
he was twirling in his fingers for the pass hour or so.
She gave him this flower he remembered...
Still twirling it in between his fingers.
And yet with his image of Akari already playing in his mind, he could not
begin to explain to himself, why he kept on thinking about his other
encounter with that ghost girl he met back at the haunted forest. Letting
her go was one thing, but to feel something entirely too different was
another. Though he could not, as of yet, explain why. He thought and
reasoned that he must have took pity on her condition then again there was
also the matter of her saving his life. It was all so confusing a matter to
him. One in which he wanted to soon forget, but it always turned up one way
or another. But if one thing was for sure, he did want to see her again,
just as much as he wanted to see Akari again.
["ARGHHH! IT'S ALL SO CONFUSING!"]
He sighs and hangs his head down. Just one big problem that he knew he
lacked experience in.
["Wish the master was here."]
He sighs yet again. Girls was one thing, but his Master was another.
["Why couldn't things be much simpler?!"]
He gave up on the prospect of remembering and focused mainly on the terrain
surrounding him, just to forget this whole mess ever happened.
Grassy terrain slowly gave way to woodland, as shrubs became thicker and
thicker as he pushed on. The light from the moon barely passed through the
canopy of the thick forest, which made the interior relatively dim.
Nevertheless he pushed on. Brushing aside vines and branches with his
deceptive looking umbrella as he carved a path before him.
Emerging from the forest, the sight of the temple was a comforting sight to
see. With its tall stone walls standing on the eastside of the temple,
covered in most places by moss and vines with its usual accompaniment of
tall trees and shrubs.
Two sitting stone lions stood guard over the east gate, stoic against the
forces of the night. They are as an effective deterrent as any ward or
spell against the demons that lurked in the shadows. Wide stone steps lay
between them leading upwards to the temple grounds above. Which loomed
several meters from where he stood. The lights from the candles inside the
temple casting a hollow dim glow at the top of the stone steps.
Joy and relief engulfs Ryouga as he took the steps two at a time as he
dashed upward to the temple court. His troubles forgotten as the pounding
of his heart in his chest deepened with excitement and anticipation.
Stopping at the top of the flight of stone steps, Ryouga stood there
silently. A smile painted on his face as the wind gently ruffled his hair
and shirt. His eyes glistening in the moon light as his sweat flew off into
the cold breeze. He stood there staring, eyes locked on the silent form of
Ranko, as she sat there on the temples stone steps. Eyes closed and
seemingly dreaming, what it was, he didn't know nor could he even hazard a
guess. He was just happy to be home.
Silently and confidently he walked up to her and watched from a distance...
***
Ranko was caught by surprise, thankfully the night hid her unease when
Ryouga walked up beside her. She could see him smiling, and couldn't help
but smile back. It was Ryouga after all, her friend, her guardian, and now
companion in this almost deserted temple in these haunted woods.
She couldn't help but feel safe around him. And it nagged her somewhat in
the back of her mind, yet she dismissed the thoughts quickly as they formed
as she turned to stare off into the night sky.
And it saddened her a bit, looking back at that clear night sky and unto
the forests beyond. Thoughts of Akane always resurfacing in the forefront
time and again, and it disturbed her even more when she tried to figure
them out. Yet if one thing was for certain...
["I have to find her..."] she thought.
And wind once again began to gently play, stroking her cheeks and her fiery
red hair, washing away the tensions into the night, as she smiled looking
up finally at the sky.
***
Ryouga stood there silently, unsure of what to make of Ranko's sad
expression. Her gaze, he saw, drifted off to the woods and even beyond that
as if seeming something else that only she could see. And it saddened him
to know that something bothered her and he could do nothing to help her
out.
["Is she sick or something?"] He thought.
Following her gaze, he stared off into the night. Looking directly at the
forests before him. So silent tonight he thought. That it unnerved him just
a little that his enemies might be planning something big. And it scared
and sickened him at the same time at just the thought of it happening. It
was just too quiet...
["A little too quiet...I wonder what's up?"]
And he could not shake the feeling off. Too many fresh memories... And open
wounds.
["Akari, with her sweet gentle voice and soft smile. Friendly and
comforting like a mother I never knew I had. But it goes deeper than that I
guess. She was a friend, a really good friend he could become comfortable
with."]
And even then, as he thought of Akari, images flashed in his mind.
Akari holding a bouquet of flowers with that cute smile, her eyes holding a
bit of mirth in them, he coughs as his thoughts seemed to stray a bit too
far. Making him blush at just the thought of it. And as soon as his mind
was off the path, another formed afterwards. This time though, it was of a
certain ghost girl he could not shake off to forget.
["The pain, and sympathy was all too real and heartfelt. Her tragic death
to live as a ghost and yet somehow remain strong-willed and pure at heart.
I don't even know why I know this, but I felt that much. That you are not
what you seem you to be, something more, maybe not in this life. And she
was also beautiful, as beautiful as Akari. Oh...I don't know! ...What
should I do? Should I ?...<sigh>"]
Bowing his head in defeat he turns his head around that he now faced Ranko
again. He couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her as well and a bit of
anger for her ill fortune at the hands of those demons. There was just
something about her, that he found so interesting that he knew she needed
him more than the rest. A very troubled spirit indeed. And he just couldn't
shake the need to help her...
["Ranko I don't know what it is about your past that keeps haunting you. I
don't know how I could help, but I'll certainly try. I'll protect you...no
matter what it takes."]
And with that said in his mind he leaned back against the temple doors,
silent as he stared out into the night sky, empty of stars, with only the
moon full into the night.
***
{The heart of the forest}
Within the forest...
The sounds of leaves rustling in the trees like cruel voices that mocked
and scorned. Unforgiving, silently lurking within the shadows. Eager to
inflict pain... where once happiness only reside and suffering an idea in
the mind.
Empty of thought and feeling, as the leaves bent to the will of the wind.
Shadows stalking, darting in and out of the moon light...
Her passing noticed and watched as she glided in the currents of the wind,
physically free, yet spiritually bound to this place of torture. And she
cursed her fate even more.
Long black hair flowed behind her like a steady stream, flowing in the
currents of the wind as she darted underneath the outstretched arms of the
tree branches. Soft white robes of silk trailing behind her as she sped off
in the clear night air. Unconcerned of direction...
Ukyou flew on, troubled by this night's events; separated from her
mistress, her friend and constant companion for these past 100 years and
more, even when she was alive and free...
All those times when one comforted the other, when the pain was simply too
great to contain that it had to be shared. And they did that most of the
time during their 100 years of life as shackled spirits in this place,
never leaving, always bound to return... it was a life she hoped to escape
from.
And to continue on from...
Just the thought of losing her friend brought her to the edge of tears. She
was the only one she even considered as close to family she could ever have
and more. And just as quickly she was taken away from her with her friend's
sacrifice. And she felt afraid and alone, lost and drained of strength just
thinking about it. As thought and perception slipped for a moment making
her land gracelessly to the ground, her clothes torn in several places as
well as several nasty gashes from her previous fight.
Yet none of those mattered. Cloth can be sewn...
And wounds will heal, she just needed to rest and regain her strength. She
felt weak as she lay there on the ground, her mind wandering and fleeting
as she tried to recall voices and images and bring them together into
something she could understand and digest. Scanning and discarding, yet one
image always seemed to be constant in her jumbled thoughts--his voice.
Comforting and surprisingly gentle, if not strong and true...
[" You are free."] He said.
And she cried out of hope and joy as she lay there on the moss covered
ground.
"I'm free..." she cried.
***
{From the base of the mountain border...}
In the distant farm fields...
The clouds drifting slowly in the almost empty sky. Casting a darker shadow
over the fields as it passed by the light of the moon.
The soft tall grass. Swaying gently like a vast flowing river, streaming
onwards to the mountains in the horizon...
And on the road that parted this sea of grass, covered in shadow, he stood
there gazing at the mountains. As the wind picked up in strength and gently
ruffled his loose fitting robes.
Standing there on the road, eyes partly covered by his long silvery white
eyebrows. A thoughtful expression on his face as he rubbed his long greyed
and bearded chin and moustache. Considering the long walk from where he
stood on the road that led to the mountains. Nine dots, arranged in a
perfect square, adorned his baldhead as he looked on thoughtfully at the
mountains. Unconcerned of the biting cold of the night as he held his long
staff in hand. Its heavy tip consisted of four rings that dangled on a
larger one, clicking as the wind passed underneath them.
Adjusting the long wooden box strapped behind him, he paused for a moment
to look at the mountains in the distance...
"I'm finally home."
***
{The forests}
Silence...
The pounding of heavy hooves on the ground rips the silence of the night...
Riders all of them. Dressed in black plated armour. Colours and banners
trailing behind them as they broke through the edge of the forest and onto
the clearing. Galloping at high speed as they tore at the ground in haste.
Speeding off into the distance as they continued riding on through empty
grass that slowly gave way to lush farm fields and onto rocky ground. And
beyond that, on to and through the sandy beach, the ocean a shimmering dark
haze on their left as they raced through the sands.
The leader racing ahead of the pack as they raced through the sands of the
sandy beach spraying behind them a cloud of dust as the moon above cast a
hollow reflection on the troubled waters of the ocean beside them. There
shadows a silhouette from the moonlight as they made their way to the
fortified castle in the distance.
Unconcerned of the elements as a storm hovered over the ocean, lighting
darting in the space between sea and sky as the wind grew in strength,
chilling to the bone. The tides growing higher and higher as the storm
progressed. It would touch ground soon enough.
The fortress...
Its walls built into the mountain stronghold, tall and defiant. Its
battlements lined by huge torches that burned in the night, spreading
darker ash into the night air, as the riders made there way and up the
mountainside.
Slowing down, as they reined in their steeds, shattering the still night
with the cries of their horses as the riders brought their mounts to a halt
in the inner courtyard of the castle. Servants came rushing in to attend
to the horses as riders dismounted in haste and were now scurrying around
to follow orders. All the while the light from the bonfires on the
battlements cast a reddish glow in the courts.
Striding away from the group, the man in charge took off, flanked on either
side by his lieutenants as they entered the castle doors, parted for them
by light armoured guards that looked at them with a mix of awe and fear.
Into the hall of the castle and through a door, the elaborate tapestries
forgotten by blind eyes that saw no need for lavish decorations. Though the
corridors he and his men went, each as stern as the man who led them. Down
the corridor and into yet another hall and down another, words were
exchanged between the guards and the man who led, complying only by nod or
a down casting of the eyebrows as they all walked through corridor after
corridor. Till finally they stop before tall gilded doors, and with a
slight movement of the hand, the men who followed Tatewaki Kuno moved aside
to place themselves beside the doors as guards as the blue thunder as he
was called entered unannounced.
***
{The apartments}
Like the walls in the halls, the fairly lighted chamber of the House Lord
of Chi'ian was heavily decorated. The ornate gold lamps and silk tapestries
adorning the wall. To the lacquered desk and tables that held an assortment
of jade and gold statues. Ancient weapons of spears and swords graced the
southern wall of the room, as well as a fine set of jade armour. The bed
took most of the space within the room, covered in red silk adorned by
gold.
The Lord of Chi'ian himself was also dressed in such finery, red and gold
robes to match the bed sheets, surrounded by ladies in fairly clad
clothing. As they lavished him with affection, feeding his whims and
desires as they laughed when he laughed. The smoke from the opium burner
wafted freely within the room as they continued on with their merriment.
The door burst open suddenly, revealing a handsome youth that stood stoic
in the face of all this fancy decorations. Awaiting a cue from his Lord as
he stood there before the bed. The ladies casting him a speculative glance
even daring to smile invitingly at the youth who ignored their advances on
him.
The Lord seemingly ruffled by the entrance of the man, casting him an
irritated glance as he dismissed the ladies beside him. Who strolled
seductively before the man, even to the point of brushing past him as they
turned and giggled among themselves. Nevertheless, the man continued to be
hard face, determined on his course of action as he awaited his Lord to
speak.
"You might as well come in..." the Lord of the House of Chi'ian said as he
arranged the sheets to cover himself from the waist down as he set aside
various reports that were scattered on the bed to finally look at the youth
in the eye.
"My Lord Fu." he spoke solemnly, strongly.
"Ah yes...Tatewaki Kuno. I've heard a great deal about you."
"And I of you my lord."
"Yes, I'm sure you would have. Would you like some tea?" he said as he
raised his hand to grab a teapot that lay on a nearby table beside him. And
poured himself a cup and drank it.
"No my lord. But thank you nonetheless. May I ask as to why you have
summoned me?"
"Yes, yes. Please, have a seat." he said as he laid down the teacup on the
table.
"Thank you my lord, but no. I prefer to stand."
"Fine, fine. I summoned you here to inquire about your task."
"About the traitor?"
Lord Fu nods in acknowledgement.
Kuno sighed for a moment, composing his speech as he finally turned back to
look at Lord Fu who sat there waiting for his answer.
"We caught the traitor in his own house my Lord. He didn't pose any
struggle or threat when we first confronted him with the accusation. He
simply nodded understanding that he would be trailed. So he came willing
with us, without any trouble at all."
"I see. Has the traitor confessed his crimes to his majesty?"
"No my Lord, he has not. He expresses his innocence on the matter. And that
he had committed no crime to his Majesty nor to the empire whom he serves
whole heartedly."
"And what do you think of the matter?"
"I find myself believing him my Lord."
"You do? Why?" Disbelief painted on his face as he stared at Kuno who
didn't even flinch at the scrutiny.
"He has been a loyal officer in the emperor's courts for quite some time.
And has no criminal record what so ever and as far as I come to know him,
he wouldn't dare try assassinating the emperor. Not if he were crazy, but I
know for a fact that he is still sane. They've been good friends for all
their lives as well. And I've known him since my childhood...I have no
reason to believe otherwise that he could be capable of such a crime
nonetheless he was framed for it."
"Kuno, I know this is already hard for you...it is, for all of us. Don't
let yourself be blinded by your emotions to the facts at hand."
"But my Lord Fu surely you wou-"
"Kuno! ... You forget your place. This matter is already finished."
"I'm sorry my Lord, but as I understand it. You and Lord Soun have been
good friends for-"
"It's all in the past. Times have changed a great deal between us. And I'm
afraid it has done ill fortune for my friend. " He sighs.
"But my Lord, surely you can do something for him..."
"I've done all that I can for him. The decision has already been made. The
High Priest has declared that Lord Soun is a traitor to the empire and to
the emperor. And as a traitor, he shall be executed without delay. It is to
be carried out at the next full moon."
"The next moon! Surely there must be a mistake! Lord Soun is not a
traitor."
"Do you dare suggest that the decision of council is wrong then?"
"Yes! I mean no. Surely he could have been easily framed as you or I. He is
innocent!" he pleaded.
"It was a just and lawful decision, your own father even presided over the
court... or, you doubt you own father as well?"
"My father...No. Surely he would not have stood idly by and let this thing
happen."
"I'm afraid, he was the one who personally pushed the execution verdict..."
"My... father..." he said breathlessly. Unable to think as disbelief and
sadness radiated from him in waves.
"Yes." Lord Fu concluded. Bowing his head.
"No... no... it can't be." Kuno said wide eyed, unable to accept them for
truth...
["Lies, all of them lies, not my own father!"]
Lord Fu looked at the stricken youth for a moment. Concern overcoming him
as he stared at the troubled and angry young lad.
["He is capable of doing such foolishness. This could be bad..."]
"Don't' go and do something foolish and rash, boy. You have been personally
ordered by the High Priest to carry out this order, to bring the traitor to
the execution site. You will be leaving tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Kuno said in surprise.
"Yes, tomorrow at day break. You are to escort the traitor to the
capital... understand?"
"..." Silence for a moment as Kuno mulled over the implications. Anger
slowly building in him, threatening to burst in divine rage and vengeance.
"Do you understand!" Lord Fu shouted out of impatience.
"Yes." With seething suppressed anger he voiced out his agreement. As he
tried to swallow the disgust he felt in saying it.
"Then that is all." Lord Fu said finally, dismissing him with but a flick
of the wrist as he gathered the papers on his bed and began sorting through
them, one by one.
Kuno composes himself for a moment, letting the anger subside a while
longer as he stared at the ground before him. As he willed himself to
unclench his fist and bow before his Lord, before leaving through the doors
from which he first came in.
***
{Back in the room}
Lord Fu looked on as Kuno departed through the door, half expecting him to
burst in murderous rage, before turning to more urgent matters. The empire
is falling, and the emperor ill and unfit to rule. With the heir dead and
the people on the brink of rioting, there was no way the country could
survive much longer. Some have to be sacrificed for the greater good...
The minutes passed by as he dwelled on his problem when a small knock
reverberates within the room coming from the door. Lord Fu doesn't even
look up as he continued to survey the reports given to him as he called...
"Come in."
The door opens to reveals a short and wrinkled old man. Dressed in
elaborate silk robes and a fine black cap. Stooped slightly at the waist as
he placed both ends of his sleeves together before him and bowed to his
Lord and employer.
The old man smiled a slight and devious smile awaiting his commands.
"How goes our young warrior?" the old man asked. Curious as to his Master's
silence.
"He may be a problem." Lord Fu said bluntly as he turned away from his
papers to look at the shrivelled old man.
"Would you like me to deal with him then?" A small smile crept up his mouth
mixed in with a touch of hopefulness, Lord Fu thought.
"No. We might have some further use for our young hero..."
"I understand my lord. I shall keep a close eye on him." He said as he
bowed to his Lord.
"Very well. See to it then." And he too dismisses him.
"Understood."
And as the door finally closed behind the man, Lord Fu began to entertain
and discuss with his own thoughts.
"All will be as it was meant to be," he said as he laughed silently inside
the confines of his room.
["My mistress..."]
***
{The dungeon}
Winding down the steep stairway and into the barely lighted corridors of
the castle dungeons, Kuno strode silently. Troubled by this evening's event
his lord he sought redemption in solitude and meditation. Even then, as it
was before it did little to appease him, not since his tragic loss was he
able to clear his thoughts of the mind numbing pain? Thus he sought peace
in the performance of his duties as a minor lord and soldier to the empire
which he served whole-heartedly.
Down he went and deeper into the dungeons, the torches on the walls barely
lighting the narrow passageways that led to the prisoners cells. The stench
of dirt covered men as well as of faeces and rotting food almost made him
sick to the gut. Yet he managed to control the temptation to vomit then as
the matter of him coming down here took precedence.
Walking among the cells he sought out what he wanted, the person he
personally brought here for treason against the empire. Even now as he
stopped before a cell and looked at the man huddled and dressed in torn and
dirt covered rags could he ever feel any anger, in fact, he admired the
man.
"Lord Soun of the House of Tendo" Kuno spoke with all the reverence
required of the title as he stood there watching the man stir in his cell.
The image he saw jarred with the title's importance.
Lord Soun Tendo, of the great House of Tendo, raised his chin to look up,
his long and dirt covered hair falling on the sides of his face as did his
long moustache and beard. His clothes of torn rags were filthy and smelly,
bearing holes in so many places. He sat there looking at the man who stood
before him. Dressed in the imperial uniform of the empire, the same empire
that betrayed him, and cast him aside regardless of the many deeds he did
for his service. And yet he could find neither fault nor anger to spare on
the youth before him, for this much he thought of the man before him.
Foolish for naming him his titles yet brave and daring to do so.
"Yes."
"I'm sorry my Lord"
"Sorry?"
"Yes, I'm deeply sorry for the ill treatment of my Lord"
"You are sorry for things that you have no fault."
"My Lord, It was I who arrested you, it was I who brought you here. If I
could, I would free you the moment I can."
"No. It is not right. You were under orders by the Imperial court. It is
understandable, I know...how hard it was for you to do this. The hesitation
you displayed when you first arrested me. And please...don't try anything
foolish such as that, I don't want you to experience the same fate as I
have."
"But my Lord, I..."
"No! You are not at fault. And I don't blame you for what has happened to
me," he said this as he turned away to look at the wall.
"But my..."
A harsh stare from Lord Soun silences him. And he swallowed what he had to
say; yet it tasted bitter for him to do so. Lord Soun relaxed as he turned
away again to look at the wall of his cell. Silent as ever as Kuno tried to
gather enough strength and determination to continue on.
"I'm sorry my Lord that I have to tell you this. I've just received new
orders..." And he paused, hesitating if he should continue. It really
tasted sour what he was about to say.
"They are going to execute me," he said casually. As if a man accepting all
with out a care, not even flinching that death came for him. Kuno was
slightly taken aback but composes himself. Again anger burned more
fiercely.
"You don't have to hide it from me. I knew from the very start when you
first took me in."
Surprise.
"Don't be so surprised. I knew what they wanted even before you came. It
was only a matter of time."
"And you knew about this."
Lord Soun nods.
"Why then? Why didn't you flee? You could have ran away."
"And lose my honour? No. It would be wrong to do otherwise. It would not be
honourable to cheat death. And if my death would stabilise an already
fragile country, then so be it."
"But my lord..."
"You who knows more about honour should have realised that from the very
start."
Silence
"There was nothing I could do to stop them, the order came from the High
Priest himself"
"All the more reason to."
"My Lord..."
Pause
"Tell me..." Lord Soun, said as he turned around to look at the youth
kneeling before him.
"Yes my Lord?"
"Are my... daughters safe?" Concern written on his face.
Pause
"They are alright my Lord. I'll see to it personally." reassuringly
Lord Soun sighs of relief and of happiness as if a great burden has been
lifted upon his shoulders as he turned to face the young sword's man again.
"Thank you, you don't know how much it means to me."
"Then my lord, by your leave..."
Lord Soun nods. And at that, Kuno bows to him and Lord Soun acknowledges
his departure.
Silence after a long while
And as the torches in the dungeon slowly burned, the crackling noises. The
growling of the other prisoners from the other cells...
Slumped into further sadness because of memory. Lord Soun sat there...
"My daughters..." Soun spoke softly as he started to weep out of concern
for his children.
***
{Some where in the forests}
Underneath the moonlight...
Through the shadows of the trees...
Through the dark heart of the woods...
The wind churned and tossed the lifeless leaves like so many fine dust and
particles. Swirling and turning them in its turbulent core, as it all
flowed around the branches of a giant tree.
The dark heart of the woods...
With its think branches covering a great portion of land, as did its
mammoth roots buried under and over the ground. Standing like bowed
servants underneath the huge trunk of the tree. Its leaves covered much of
the night sky that almost no light could pass through its thick foliage.
While underneath its roots and shadow, lay jars upon jars of dust covered
urns.
Their sizes varying greatly, from the small to the rather really large
ones. A hollow testament of the lives of their previous owners...
Who unfortunately were burned and buried here. Underneath the shadow of the
dark tree...
Their ashes, always to remain under the heart of the shadow.
Through the tree the wind went. Down into the crevices afforded by the
roots. Into the shadows and beneath the roots, to travel below the surface
and into the realm of the undead...
The temple of the demon, and the evil behind the forest...
The caverns underneath the tree...
Large as it is empty. Empty of life and the remains of lives.
Bones littered the narrow hallway that led to the inner chambers of the
cavern. Leading onto a steep and narrow stone stairway that wound around
the walls of the cavern. And all around, huge stalactites and stalagmites
lined the ceiling and the cavern floor, like large teeth ready to devour
all that dared enter, living or dead. Roots from the huge tree, partly
exposed, hung lazily on the cavern walls. While torches mounted on the
stones lit up the hollow and empty confines of the lair.
Firelight danced and shivered on the dark grey walls as did the echoes of
torture and suffering reverberating on the walls and in the air. The smell
of decayed and rotting flesh drifted freely in the air, as did the souls of
their owners, taken from the lands above to live out their existence in
servitude and pain.
The corridors are vast and looming, dark and almost empty of life save the
sounds of screaming and death. Littered in many places by bones and
crushed skulls, as were a few pieces of armour and flesh. Torches burning
brightly illuminated the place in a deep red tone as darker shapes took
form and disappear in the shadows.
And the wind continued on...
Corridor upon corridor, room after room, each corner upon corner were the
same till at last the wind died down as it approached two gilded doors. The
walls surrounding it painted in deep red blood, as were the bonfires that
lined the passageway. Through the doors and into the throne room, the
sounds of dismal drums playing, pierced the heart and soul of all that
entered the lair of demon.
And the fires burned even brighter...
Fires from the bonfires that led to the dais and the throne lighted the
dark interior of the room. And all the while, shadows crossed and flickered
on the red painted walls as laughter and suffering intermixed with the
beating of the drums.
Bodies of exotic grace danced and turned in wide circle. Dressed in
clinging and torn robes that barely covered their womanhood. Bracelets and
jewellery clicking as firelight glistened on their pale sweat covered ivory
skin. Their long hair swaying from side to side as they all danced to the
beating of the drums.
Long pieces of cloth tied to their wrists arched and turned in soft circles
through the air, Their legs reaching up to the sky as they arched their
backs as they twirled around. Faces of beauty, and grace...
And in the centre of the heavenly scene, she danced...
In the light of the bonfires and through the fire, a soft hand is turning,
sliding down and twisting to hover a generous chest as she turned and
danced to the beating of the drums. Long legs shifting and sliding as she
flowed from step to step in sync with the rhythm of the dance. The girl
danced, her long black hair swaying behind her as she bared every physical
form she had to the demon on the throne.
Her clothes of torn cloth barely covered the essentials. The gold rings on
her fingers, the armlets and bracelets, the thick gold belt adorned by tree
bright blue stones and chains at the side. Her neck latched with a thick
gold collar and a long thin chain at the back. Necklaces and all that,
earrings. The cloth a dull grey draped over her shoulders and low enough to
cover her breasts
And slowly she danced towards him...
Swaying her hips provocatively, enticingly, seducing him as she slowly
raised both of her arms before her. Open handed as if inviting a long lost
lover for a tender embrace. Head tilted a back and a bit to the side as her
lips partly opened as if beckoning him to come. Her eyes partly closed held
lust in them as she licked her ruby red lips. As she raised her hands
higher and above her head, her hands dancing and shifting in the air as she
turned her head to one side. Sweat glistening over her whole body, down her
arms and her chest to her flat stomach and legs. Shifting from graceful
form after form, all the while the other dancers wove around her in perfect
sync with one another, complementing the dancer within their formed circle.
And one by one they wove away, leaving the dancer alone to dance before her
lord and master. Dancing for all that was her and more as the ecstasy of
the dance took control as it all came down to its climactic end and she
lost her balance and collapsed on the floor. The spell broken. Her eyes
losing the lust filled craze as she lay there on the floor. Cheek on the
cold hard ground with her arms above her head and legs crossing each other.
Her breath came in short, hard gulps as she desperately tried to breathe
once more. Her body ached and screamed in pain as did her mind. She
couldn't stop the tears from falling.
His eyes delighted as he stared at the girl before him, a soul he plucked
from the living world above. A daughter of a madman and a sister in her
previous life, so ripe not to pass and her death was all he needed. Her
soul was his to keep and use, as he stared long and hard at the girl who
danced before him. Even as he stared, a face transfixed itself upon hers,
eyes as blue as the sky and hair as fiery red as his burning desire. And
the heat of desire loomed even brighter as did his eyes in the dark of his
throne room. A small smile crept onto his face, as the darkness grew even
deeper and silent laughter echoed inside him and into the corridors of the
lair echoing through the tunnels and into the air, pass trees and grass as
the whole forests laughed with his delight. For the plan he made for the
taking of his new concubine.
And as the dismal drums slowly died away, so did the dancer's moves slowed.
Standing there under the scrutiny of her lord, she stood still and quiet.
Coldness suddenly swept into her heart as pain overtook all senses, a pain
she never felt before taking shape within her, moulding her. And as
helpless as she was, she couldn't and would not suppress, as a single tear
of regret finally fell from her cheeks.
End of Chapter 4
Next Chapter
"As the plow breaks the Earth."
** Authors note:
I kind of hurried this one up, sorry about that for this chapter has been
delayed for quite some time now. I'll post the final draft on my sister's
site soon.
There isn't much action as I wanted it to have, but then at some point I do
have to introduce new characters and build up the others. Some of the
characters will be revealed in the next chapter though, which will be
coming out pretty soon. The plot has already been laid as well as other
chapters for this series.
Also, added is a brief preview of chapter 5 for those who want to get an
approximate idea of what's going to happen in the next chapter. It is at
the end of this post.
For those familiar with the movie of "A Chinese Ghost Story", you would
surely know that I made some major changes. I created new elements as to
differentiate my story from the movie. I didn't really want to actually
translate the movie into the Ranma Universe, but base my story on it with
the entire Ranma cast in mind.
First of all, is that I've introduced new characters that didn't appear in
the first movie. I kinda thought it would be best if I introduced the
characters for the second movie early on. (Yes I do plan to continue this
series up to the third movie, trying as much to keep to the original plot.)
Ending the first movie then going on with the plot of the second movie and
then on to the third. (This is going to be a lot of work! And hopefully I
would be able to finish this long series and not get tired. Also it would
probably depend on if anybody would still be interested with the
story...<Sigh>:)
Anyway...
Please send all comments and flames to: becknkal@addax.bc.ca
And or you could go and check out my younger sisters' web page for updates
of this series at:
http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/temple/9371
Or you could go and check out The Ranma 1/2 Library. The RAAC archive's
Again, thanks!
** Acknowledgements
Thanks to the people who helped me with this chapter. First off, my younger
sister of course (Hi lil Sis!) and to a couple of my other friends as well.
And to those who gave me C & C / Flames. All of you helped me in creating
this fic as well as improving it in the future. And of course to the
readers of this story, I give my thanks to you.
** Apologies
I know they are really OOC but then at some point in time. They have to put
down their walls and stop being so bottled up. Hiding inside what we all
know already is real love.
To some of those I've not replied to, I'm sorry. It's either because I've
been busy with schoolwork (College) or that the connection with the net was
faulty. Again I'm truly sorry.
** The next part is a spoiler so please proceed at your own discretion.
A brief preview of A Chinese Ghost Story - Chapter 5 "As the plow breaks
the Earth"
[Cut < Dream Sequence >]
***
{Waking from the dream}
Waking from the dream she wished to always wake upon...
Ranko's breath came in short gulps as she stared at the far end of the
room. Suddenly fearful of the shadows that lurked in the interior as she
slowly turned to look at the closed window with frightened eyes. A
deepening concern rose within her as she rose off from the bed. And slowly
walked to open the closed windows.
And a slight gasp escapes from her mouth as she stared at the view outside.
Storm clouds hovered over the forests, dark and turbulent. Lightning
criss-crossing in the sky, covering the space between the earth and the
heavens. Flashing in minute intervals, as the wind slowly picked up in
strength. It's unholy messenger, cold and chaotic in its path. And a
premonition of evil she thought, as concern overcame her fear as she
quickly dressed in her robes and headed out into the forests...
One thought in mind as she ran through the trees...
["Akane!"]
***
[Cut < The Chase into the woods... >]
{Fight scene - Ryouga is losing the fight...}
{A downward final-slash from the attacker.}
{Ryouga stumbles and falls. Tries to stop.}
{But it's too late...}
{Ryouga closes his eyes - "This is the end he thought"}
{CLANG}
{Sword spinning in the air and lands with its blade tip buried deep into
the ground}
{The attacker in a confused state at the intrusion of the stranger.}
{Ryouga slowly opening his eyes and sees an odd face - at first there is
only confusion followed by sudden recognition}
"Well boy! I guess you haven't been skipping out on your training have you!
Guess I came at the right time haven't I" the old monk said smiling with a
twinkle in his eye as he looked at the youth before him.
"Master!" Ryouga shouted.
***
{Meanwhile...}
{Inside the demons lair}
The throne room...
"My Lord." she said softly.
Kneeling on one knee, her body bent on her raised leg and arms resting
comfortably at her side. As she prostrated herself before the man on the
throne. Her hair tied in a ponytail and dangling off to one side, as she
knelt there underneath his cold hard gaze.
"GO MY BLACK ROSE." he said.
"DO NOT FAIL ME."
"I understand my Lord." she said softly, almost a whisper, before she
vanished just as quickly. Leaving behind only the silent laughter emanating
from the throne.
<Black out entire scene>
<Cut Segment>
-End of Preview -
Chapter 5 is already about 30 % done, but the entire story itself is
finished, though in an outline form only. It will be ready soon enough.
The rest of the chapters (6 and 11 might come up to 13) are all in outline
form. And I might consider, cutting off some of the descriptions as to make
it easier and faster to make. I'd like some C & C on this, if I should
continue the way things are or if I should go a little bit easier with the
text. Again Thanks.
And as for the previous chapters, they are still in the process of being
edited for future posting. Already, there are some new scenes planned as to
better the flow of the story.
Edited some of the confusing text lines, though it won't be out for quite
some time. It will be out when I finally finish the first volume of this
series. Hopefully it will be out soon! Again thanks for taking the time to
read this, and for your support. Thanks!