If you're seeing this first, wait for part 1 to come in the mail. 

------------------------------------------
(continued from part 1)

  The couple walked alone on the sidewalk when Mousse descended from one 
of the walls. 
  "I've caught up with you, Saotome," Mousse began. 
  "All right, Mousse, what do you want THIS time?" Ranma said in 
disgust. Who wasn't going to get mad at him today?  
  "I challenge you for Shampoo's heart!" Mousse threatened, slipping 
wrist razors to his arms. 
  "Mousse, what do you think you're doing?" Akane asked. "Ranma didn't 
try to marry Shampoo, you know."
  "No, no, no, it's not that," Mousse corrected, "I mean, it's great 
that you two agreed to marry and all, but still, Ranma has Shampoo's 
love, and I want it!"
  "Hey, if you want it, you can have it," Ranma replied. If only it were 
something I could give you. 
  "That won't get Shampoo to love me!" Mousse shouted. "Ranma Saotome, 
prepare to die...!"
  Akane stepped in Mousse's way. "Look Mousse, do you want me to marry 
Ranma or not?"
  "Well, yeah...."
  "So if you kill Ranma, how can I marry him?"
  "Ummmm...."
  "Exactly! Now let us go and promise to leave us alone, okay? Go bother 
Shampoo instead. Take her on a date. Make her happy! You have to EARN 
her love, right? So what are you doing here?"
  "Uhhh...."
  "Ranma, let's go."
  Mousse was still fighting his thoughts as Ranma and Akane walked off. 
  Ranma turned to Akane in wonder. "I didn't think you had it in you."
  "Hey, if you've been around guys as long as I have, you pick up a few 
tricks," Akane replied. Flustering them was one of them. Worked every 
time. Besides, no way am I going to let anyone touch MY fiancee. 

  When Ranma and Akane reached the gates of the Tendo property lot, the 
watched as Soun kicked Kodachi out of the gates angerily. To Akane's 
anger Ranma dashed to Kodachi's side and helped her to her feet. 
  "Kodachi, what are you doing here?" asked Ranma. 
  "Ranma-sama!" returned Kodachi, trying to hug Ranma, but he swiftly 
moved away. "You're all right!"
  "You came because you were worried about me?" 
  "Of course! Who knows what those hussies did to you? Your would-be 
Father-in-law is most disrespectful toward those of higher station...."
  "Look, Kodachi," Ranma said, in a very serious tone. "I'm grateful, 
but you have to understand, I can't love you."
  "I know that, silly," replied Kodachi. She reached for her ribbon. 
"But one day, Ranma-sama, I will steal your heart!" She laughed, as the 
ribbon lashed at a nearby tree. The Kuno girl swung away, black rose 
petals trailing behind. 
  "Why were you being so nice to Kodachi?" asked Akane. 
  "Well, at least she's still in high spirits," Ranma said to no one in 
particular, ignoring Akane. 
  "Are you still thinking about Ukyo?" Akane asked, guessing. 
  "I can't stand to see anyone hurt like that, not even my 'enemies,'" 
Ranma replied. How glad he was he didn't tell Kodachi where his heart 
truly lies. Well, it was definitely an improvement over how you handled 
Ucchan, Ranma told himself.

  Kodachi sat by the pool that was home to Midorigame, her pet 
alligator. Bit by bit she tossed meat into the pool, watching as the 
alligator gobbled them up greedily. 
  "At least you're someone that needs me," Kodachi whispered to the 
pool's occupant.
  Of course the alligator couldn't answer.
  On her way home Kodachi ran into Konatsu, the servant of the common 
chef girl. When she inquired for the state of health of her master, 
Konatsu replied, "She's upset because Ranma confessed his love for 
Akane." Of course those words upset Kodachi as well. How can Ranma-sama 
love a girl like Akane Tendo?! 
  Kodachi passed word to her brother, but Tatewaki Kuno shrugged it off. 
Somehow she suspected her elder brother didn't take the news lightly, 
and was hiding his true feelings. Why was it so easy for him to do that? 
Such an insensitive jerk! 
  From the day she met Ranma Kodachi's greatest desire was to serve him 
as his wife. Now it had the same chance as a snowball in Hell. Perhaps 
that was her chances all along. 
  No, stop thinking that way! Kodachi told herself. Ranma-sama can still 
be yours if you work hard enough! After all, nothing you ever wanted 
ever came to you on a silver platter. Especially dear little Midorigame, 
she reflected with a chuckle. 
  Silently, Kodachi resolved to sway Ranma's heart. This time, perhaps a 
more subtle approach. Straight from the heart. 

  The next day in school Ukyo was there, but she kept her distance from 
Ranma and Akane. Ukyo never spoke unless spoken to, and then in as few 
words as possible, in a low, monotonic tone. At lunch she sat alone, 
neither speaking nor caring, only eating, then quickly departing. Many 
tried to cheer her up, even Miss Hinako, but failed. 
  Rumors spread that Ranma confessed his love to Akane. Kuno certainly 
didn't take the rumors lightly, and confronted the pair during lunch. 
The two sat at the same table, talking with their friends. 
  Kuno set a foot on the bench, vibrating it suddenly. He leaned on his 
bokken, propping it to the floor as if it were a walking stick. "A 
rather malicious rumor blows through the winds concerning the flower of 
beauty that is Akane Tendo, and the vile black sorcerer Ranma Saotome." 
  "Yeah, and what would that be?" asked Ranma, speaking with food in his 
mouth, almost uncaring. 
  "It has come to my attention that you declared your love and devotion 
for Akane Tendo," answered Kuno. He turned to Akane. "What say you, 
Akane Tendo, in response to slanderous words such as this? I cannot 
allow these evil words to circulate any longer if they speak not that 
which is the truth. Enlighten my peers as to where your heart truly 
lies." Kuno raised his head high smugly. 
  "Kuno," Akane started, "it's the truth. Ranma loves me, and I love 
him." 
  Those within earshot silenced in an instant as soon as the words left 
Akane's lips. Kuno was visibly trying to retain his composure, 
noticeably shaking. 
  Turning to Ranma in disbelief, Kuno shouted, "What black magic have 
you used to ensorcel Akane Tendo, knave?! Answer me, or the great 
Tatewaki Kuno will smite you!" He raised his bokken in the air, ready to 
attack. 
  All eyes were on Kuno and Ranma. Neither flinched or spoke. Minutes 
passed in tense silence. Finally, Kuno relaxed his grip, then, shaking 
his fist in anger, stalked away quietly. 
  The moment Kuno passed Nabiki, she couldn't help but say, "You've lost 
your touch, Kuno-chan." 
  Those words bit harder into Kuno than Nabiki could imagine. 
  Minutes later, in his office, the Principal was about to make an 
announcement, but as his mouth opened Kuno burst into the office. He 
cried, "GGGRAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!! THERE IS NO JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD!" That, 
and the following battle, was broadcast throughout the entire school for 
the enjoyment of the student body. 

  After school that day Ranma and Akane encountered Shampoo. Riding her 
bicycle at top speed, they heard the unmistakable greeting, "Nihao!"
  "Go away, Shampoo," Ranma told her. 
  "Shampoo glad Ranma okay, so bring you snack!" Shampoo produced a bowl 
of take-out ramen and presented it to Ranma. "Eat in good health!" she 
said, handing over the bowl before taking off. 
  "Well, she seems fine to me," observed Akane as Ranma consumed the 
ramen. "So if everyone else is taking things in stride, why isn't Ukyo? 
She got what she wanted. She's just like the rest of them."
  Ranma slurped the soup water. "Are you sure about that, Akane?" He set 
the bowl down and held Akane's hand. "There's more going on than what 
appears on the surface, Akane. For as long as I've known Ucchan, I can 
tell. You have to let it go."
  Akane sighed. "How can I, Ranma? She helped ruin our wedding."
  Ranma hugged Akane, holding her in a steady embrace. "Tell me, Akane, 
if I were secretly getting married to Shampoo, no matter how unlikely, 
and you found out at the last minute, not knowing the full details 
behind the wedding, would you have done the same?"
  Akane nodded. "I guess so...." Was this what Ukyo meant when she said 
Akane betrayed her? Betrayal of trust? "Maybe Ukyo did what she did for 
the right reasons, but that still didn't excuse her actions." 
  "You should apologize to Ukyo, not me, Akane," replied Ranma. "She 
needs all the help she can get for whatever it is that's eating her. 
Worst of all, she won't tell me what's wrong; how can I help her?"
  Who said I'm apologizing? "But we can't do anything for Ukyo," 
concluded Akane. "I think we'd only add more fuel into the fire. She 
needs time to sort things out by herself." Especially after Ranma 
confessed his love in front of Ukyo. That must've been the killing blow, 
Akane thought. Poor Ukyo, the cheery and optimistic girl of yesterday 
was a torn wreck. She didn't deserve that. 
  Ranma doesn't know that Ukyo loves him. 
  Friendships had their ups and downs, their hills and mountains, but 
this one was a sheer vertical cliff. 

  Kuno walked silently through the double-doors of the dark, enclosed 
room of the mansion. The only source of illumination was at the other 
end of the room, where, enshrined, the legendary Phoenix Egg rested. 
Icons, symbols, and decorations depicting the phoenix adorned the 
shrine. 
  The Blue Thunder of Furinkan High threw down his bokken in anger 
before the shrine. He sat before the shrine, and let himself drift into 
meditation. 
  The Phoenix Egg was reputed to be a good luck charm for martial 
artists, but there was an even greater purpose behind it. Through proper 
meditation and study, the owner of the egg may learn the invincible, 
legendary Chinese Phoenix Sword attack, the most powerful technique 
available to swordsmen. Only the greatest of men could hope to master 
the technique; the storekeeper who had sold the Egg to Kuno claimed that 
Kuno was too weak. 
  The merchant had been right in all but one fact, Kuno thought. Anyone 
with sufficient proficiency in the sword may learn the Phoenix Sword, 
but it took one of great strength and will to survive the attack. 
  Not long after bringing the Phoenix Egg home for the first time Kuno 
spent much of his time trying to learn the technique. That is, until one 
day, when he realized that the cost of using such a technique might be 
his own life-- the Phoenix flames that formed the heart of the attack 
derived chi power directly from the user's own soul. Since the flames 
usually consumed more soul power than was available, that was why only 
the strongest of men could hope to use the Phoenix Sword. At the time 
Kuno was unwilling to part from the mortal world, uncertain of the 
strength of his soul, but now.... It doesn't matter. 
  Akane Tendo, even if it were through sorcery on Saotome's part, did 
not love Kuno. In that one, single moment, everything within Kuno's 
heart shattered in a million pieces; it was made worse by the fact that 
the pig-tailed girl seems to have disappeared, unwilling to come forth 
despite the news. The spark of life that was love... was gone. 
  I gave my love to the world, but the world didn't return it, Kuno told 
himself. Akane Tendo never return her love. Mother... never returned her 
love. Worst of all, little Kodachi, ungrateful as she is... her love was 
unconditionally the property of Ranma Saotome and that stupid alligator 
now, with no room left for me.... What kind of a life was worth living 
without love? 
  Kuno knew that good deeds often went unrewarded, but this was too 
much.   Where are you, pig-tailed girl? 
  With nothing to hold him back any longer, Kuno surrendered himself to 
his fate. Silently, he vowed, I shall finish what I have started. When 
the day finally comes, when I, Tatewaki Kuno, arrive to meet the final 
battle with the evil Ranma Saotome, victory will be mine. The world may 
be cruel and unforgiving, but I gladly and willingly sacrifice my life 
to rid the world of such evil. 
  To this resolve, Kuno vowed to master the Chinese Phoenix Sword. 

  A couple weeks went by, business as usual, sort of. Word that Ranma 
and Akane confessed their love for each other spread through town like 
wildfire. After that, nothing was the same. 
  Both Ranma and Akane noticed glaring changes in the behavior of the 
others, most visibly in Kuno, Kodachi, and Ukyo. 
  Whereas Kuno would antagonize Ranma before, he notably kept his 
distance, only staying long enough to spout a few words of insult at 
Ranma. Akane was all that kept Ranma from pounding Kuno into the ground. 
It was strange, really, that Kuno continually failed to express his love 
to Akane directly, or toward the pig-tailed girl. Nabiki was upset after 
her sales of pictures to Kuno dropped to nothing. What happened that 
made him change? 
  The strangest behavior exhibited by Kuno happened one day after 
school. As the students exited the building, the air was filled with the 
sound of a lone flute. A quick search of the area revealed Kuno, seated 
atop the clock tower, playing alone, oblivious to the rest of the world. 
Ranma and Akane had no idea what he was doing, but some speculated he 
was in mourning. No one dared to ask. After that day the flute solo came 
almost every day. 
  Kodachi rarely visited any more. Whenever she did come to the Tendo 
home it was only for a short while, inquiring to the health of Ranma. 
Before long she'd convinced others that it was genuine concern, but 
Ranma and Akane hardly bought it. At least it was better than chemical 
warfare from yesterday. Ranma couldn't help but note a hint of sadness 
in her eyes whenever she visited. While she continued to laugh in her 
usual spirits, Kodachi didn't seem to be as perky as before. Kuno 
servants would note that their mistress spent much more time with her 
pet alligator, Midorigame, than usual. Sometimes they could hear her 
crying in the middle of the night for no particular reason. 
  After several more near-attacks Akane managed to convince Mousse that 
killing Ranma wouldn't help win Shampoo's love. "Shampoo has to like you 
for who you are," Akane argued. To this end Mousse redoubled his efforts 
to win Shampoo's love, not by defeating opponents, but by swaying her 
heart. Sometimes he'd ask Akane, sometimes he'd ask Ukyo (whenever she 
was in the mood, that is) for advice. Akane told him to make Shampoo 
laugh; Ukyo told him to give her flowers. It was either really bad jokes 
or wilted flowers that got Mousse pounded every other day. 
  Shampoo seemed to deny the fact that Ranma and Akane loved each other, 
and made the least change in her lifestyle. The Chinese Amazon treated 
her 'husband' as she did before. 
  And Ukyo... the one who's made the biggest change of all. Whereas Ukyo 
once greeted others with cheery optimism, now she barely acknowledged 
their existence at all. She devoted most of her spare time running her 
restaurant, notbothering with pleasurable pursuits. Whenever Ranma 
dropped by Ucchan's Ukyo merely served okonomiyaki quietly, failing to 
draw pictures or messages with the sauce as she used to do. 
  Ranma was going nuts dwelling on the fact that he didn't know what to 
do to help Ukyo, especially since she wouldn't tell him what was wrong. 
Of course Akane knew what the problem was, but had no good way to help 
solve it herself. She decided it would be better if Ukyo told Ranma 
about it herself, when the time was right. Ukyo had to make the first 
move. 

				*  *  *  *  *

  It was Saturday. Kasumi couldn't help but think about the old days. 
Nobody came by for a visit any more, especially Ranma's friends. Even 
Kodachi, the lively girl who made frequent visits to the Tendo 
household, stopped altogether. That was what was missing from an 
otherwise routine life; Ranma's friends provided the difference in 
routine every now and then. Just what happened to them all? 
  That morning, after Nabiki, Ranma, and Akane left for school, Ryoga 
appeared at the front door. "Why, hello, Ryoga!" 
  Ryoga returned Kasumi's greeting, and presented a couple bags to her. 
"I'm back from a long journey. One's for Akane, and one's for Akari. I 
don't think I can find my way to the Unryu farm from here." 
  Kasumi peered into the bags, then looked at Ryoga in surprise. "Oh, 
what are these?" 
  Ryoga replied, "Manekineko." [translates to 'beckoning cat,' a small 
cat statue which brings good luck/health/money, depending on the type.] 
He shrugged. "If you believe in those kind of things, that is." At least 
this time his gift for Akari won't expire. 
  "Why don't you come on in?" Kasumi invited.
  Kasumi lead Ryoga to the dining room. Out on the porch Soun and Genma 
played go, oblivious to the world around them. Nodoka was in the 
kitchen, washing dishes. 
  Ryoga set his backpack down and relaxed as he sat down. "So, what have 
I missed since we last parted?"
  "Oh, not much," Kasumi replied. "Things have been awfully quiet since 
the wedding day. None of Ranma's friends come to visit any more."
  "Why's that a problem?"
  "It's quiet these days, that's what. You can count upon them to break 
daily routine. It's good to see activity. To be honest, I've gotten used 
to you all being here." Kasumi smiled at Ryoga. "I'm glad you're 
around."
  "Thanks." I think.
  "You know, I have an idea. Maybe we can invite the others over for 
dinner this evening?"
  "That might not be such a bad idea," Ryoga replied. "But, are you sure 
it's a good idea to have all of them over at the same time?"
  "Don't be silly," Kasumi said, "as guests, they'll behave." Kasumi 
walked over to the phone. She looked over her shoulder to Ryoga. "Do you 
want me to invite Akari as well?"
  "Sure!" 

  Ranma and Akane returned home later that day, watching as Kasumi 
prepared dinner earlier than usual.
  "What's up, Sis?" Akane asked Kasumi.
  "Hi Akane!" greeted Kasumi. "We're having guests over for dinner 
tonight."
  "Yeah, who?" asked Ranma. 
  "Why, your friends, who else?" Kasumi replied. 
  Stone shock was the one thing that described both Ranma and Akane at 
that moment. Both knew exactly what Kasumi meant by 'friends.'
  Ryoga entered the kitchen. "I'm not the only one you know."
  "Ryoga?" Akane said. "When did you get back?"
  "Only this morning," replied Ryoga. "Kasumi insisted on inviting the 
two Kunos, Shampoo and Mousse, and Ukyo and Konatsu. Akari can't make 
it...."
  "Kasumi, why?" asked Akane, trying to conceal her rage. 
  "I thought it would be nice to have them over," answered Kasumi. 
Silently, Kasumi thought, now would be a good a time as any for any of 
them to make up for past differences. 

  The first to arrive were the two Kunos, in a sedan chair carried by 
Kuno family servants. Then Mousse and Shampoo arrived on bicycles, and 
Konatsu and Ukyo on foot. And dinner was almost ready. 
  Ukyo was reluctant to go at first, but Konatsu insisted, telling her 
that it was time to let wounds heal. As she entered Ukyo couldn't meet 
the eyes of either Ranma or Akane, continually staring at the floor as 
she moved. 
  Quietly, the guests took their seats at the table: Kuno, Mousse, and 
Ryoga at one side, and Shampoo, Kodachi, and Ukyo at the other. Ranma 
and Akane took their seats as well as Kasumi finished up her work. 
  Mousse removed his glasses and set them on the table, waiting with 
eyes closed. He started talking to a vase, thinking of Shampoo. 
  Ryoga sat unmoving in his position. 
  Kuno rested his trusty bokken on his shoulder, the weapon that never 
left his side. When he started flirting with Akane, Ryoga responded in 
heat, unwilling to let Kuno sway Akane to him. 
  Shampoo took the opportunity to scoot closer to Ranma. 
  Kodachi went one step further and jumped into Ranma's lap. 
  Ukyo hadn't moved since sitting down. Her head was still lowered to 
the floor, as if studying something. 
  Konatsu, seated next to Ukyo, stood up and left, entering the next 
room for quiet time alone. 
  Akane couldn't help but fume in anger at Ranma. There he goes again, 
flirting with other girls....
  The others, Nabiki, Soun, Genma, and Nodoka, sat at a separate table, 
minding their own business. 

  In the shadows outside the Tendo dojo, a dark, robed man stood. Behind 
him were seven other figures, robed, but towering over the lead man. 
Well, except for one, who stood at half the leader's height, up to his 
waist. Then again, all seven of them were standing on the fence while 
the leader was standing on the ground. 
  The leader turned to his seven minions. "She's in there. As the 
Mastercommands, Akane Tendo must die. It must be quick, otherwise the 
others might interfere. Do not fail me."
  "Hai!" the seven said in unison. Then, each jumped away. 
  The leader turned his back toward the dojo, and reached for a jade 
medallion. The circular medallion was carved in the likeness of a giant 
dragon head, with seven smaller heads snaking around the center. 
  "And so it begins...." the leader of the Cult of Orochi said. 


To be continued in "Team Ranma vs. the Orochi Assassins"
http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff1.txt

				*  *  *  *  *
Closing: Hill of Rainbow and Sun

Though we're close enough to gaze at one another,
gentleness and smiles pass us by.
You pretend not to notice, hurrying aimlessly.

And yet, up on that shining hill,
all we do is act out an intermittent story,
wrapped up in a rainbow that grants our single wish.

There's a sunny smell even in your dreams and in your shirt.
Filled with desire, your eyes become all a-gleam.

So never give up your precious dream.
Keep the ability and courage to fly to the heavens.

-----------------------------------------------
Author's Rant

  Latest revision: Beefed-up the scenes involving Kuno, including a new 
scene where Kuno resolves to complete training for the ultimate 
technique, the Chinese Phoenix Sword. If you were wondering, I don't 
consider putting the Phoenix Egg on one's head to be the legendary 
attack; hell, that wasn't supposed to happen, and just about ANYBODY 
could be affected as Kuno had. Thus, his mistaken conclusion in the 
manga. 
  Cleaned-up a bit in the scenes involving Ukyo. Added lyrics to songs. 
Changed Ryoga's gifts to Akane and Akari to something less-exoctic. 
Maybe, just maybe, Kuno's jealous of the alligator. 

  I felt this was something that needed to be said. None of the six 
teens would be overly disappointed after crashing the wedding, as some 
pointed out. But what really would hurt them is the knowledge that Ranma 
and Akane truly love each other. Mousse and Shampoo would be the least 
affected; Mousse because he wants Shampoo for himself, and Shampoo 
because she's too stubborn. 
  This fic spawned off Seravi's Ranma Public Opinion polls on 
rec.arts.anime.fandom, especially Blade's responses to them. Thought I'd 
_try_ to throw myself off the fanboy wagon for a while, if you know what 
I'm talking about :) 
 
http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff.html

<!-- End File -->

  Well, there you have it. You're welcome to comment if you wish. 

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

"That's my story and I'm sticking to it."--JMS, creator of Babylon 5. 
"If you go to Z'ha'dum, you will die."--Kosh, Babylon 5.
"Jump. Jump now!"--Kosh, Babylon 5, making some sense. 

--Razorclaw X

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