DYNASTY - CHAPTER SEVEN - PART B
By Sydney Kyle <jantzen77@hotmail.com>

Author's notes: All right, you guys got me. Everytime someone asks 
me for those chapters they missed, it gets harder and harder to send 
'em over 'cause of the amount of chapters and the amount of requests. 
So if anyone, ANYONE out there has a homepage or knows of one that 
sponsors Ranma or anime fanfic, please inform me so that I can see if
I have a chance in archiving this baby. I'd make my own homepage, but
as it is, it'll be a while before THAT happens.

Okay, that's enough ranting. Enjoy the fic and I hope someone answers
my plea. (please...pretty please?)

                       =========================
                          * * * DYNASTY * * *          
                          A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic
                       =========================                

                              * * * * * *

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                             CHAPTER SEVEN:
                                 Part B
                               The Cure? 
                       =========================

   "For the last time, Upperclassman Kuno," said the school 
psychiatrist wearily, "can you tell me what happened out there today?"

   Tatewaki Kuno stared down at the diminutive, bespectacled form 
before him, much like someone studying a canker sore. Then he cleared 
his throat and swung his badly-scuffed bokken, knocking a potted plant 
off its perch on a nearby file cabinet. "How dare you consider 
yourself deserving to be in the exalted presence of Tatewaki Kuno! It 
is surely a miracle that I have chosen to acknowledged thee, though 
you are no doubt beneath my notice--"

   The psychiatrist massaged his balding temples. "Mr. Kuno...sir, all 
I need to know is what occurred out there in front of the school this 
morning. Although I know that you have been subject to Miss Hinako's
brand of...punishment, I am _certain_ that there a few brain cells 
still left in your noble head to understand what I'm trying to inquire 
of you here--Miss Kodachi, what do you think you're doing?"

   Kodachi looked up innocently, fluttering her lashes. "Why, sir, 
whatever do you mean?"

   "You know what I mean. Stop throwing my paperweights against 
the wall. That's not going to break it, no matter what you think."

   "Oh." She blinked as she felt the gears slowly whir in her head. 
Then she burst out hysterically, "But--but I simply _must_ get out of 
here!"

   "And why is that, Miss Kodachi?" queried the psychiatrist 
condescendingly.

   "I MUST find my Ranma darling!" sobbed Kodachi.
   
   "SAOTOME?!" Kuno was instantly alert. "Has that evil sorcerer 
returned at last to practice his vile black arts once more? Lead me to 
him, and I shall impart upon him the vengeance of the house of Kuno!" 

   As if to demonstrate his point, he began to thrash his bokken 
wildly, knocking off more potted plants, piles of documents, pencil 
holders, paperweights, lamps, and various other supplies. 

   The psychiatrist gawked in disbelief as Kuno shattered file cabinet 
after file cabinet. Then he was bulldozed by a frantic Kodachi.
 
   "Must get out of here!" she chanted, seizing the leather-
upholstered chair that sat behind the school psychiatrist's desk. She 
hefted it over her head and proceeded to smash it against the office's 
dented wall. "Must find my Ranma darling!"

   "I shall smite thee, Ranma Saotome!!" grated Kuno, hacking up and
down with his bokken like a robot.

   The school psychiatrist decided that maybe a resignation wasn't so
bad after all.

* * * * * *

   The cave _was_ beautiful, Ranma noted. There was certainly no 
denying that.

   Instead of the gloomy, pitch-dark interior he'd anticipated, the 
cave was illuminated with a soft, ethereal blue light that seemed to 
seep out from the very foundation of the cavern. The roof was a good 
ten feet high above their heads, and it didn't appear to contain any 
sort of crevice that would allow even the smallest shaft of sunlight 
to trickle in. Scattered everywhere throughout the underground chamber 
were stalactites and stalagmites of every size and shape--some pointed, 
some blunt, some made of rock, and others made of combinations of 
unidentifiable minerals. Less widespread were the occasional patches 
of moss and spindly trees. 

   The most unusual--and most unique--aspect of the cave, though, were 
the numerous chunks of crystal that had lodged themselves into the 
rocky floor and walls. A few were opalescent in appearance, resembling 
diamonds, but most of them were tinged with a deep blue-green hue.

   The overall effect was breathtaking, and Ranma thought it a shame 
that he, Ryouga, Shampoo, and Mousse were the only ones to visit this 
place in a long time.

   <Like more than a thousand years...>

   Somehow the realization didn't astonish Ranma. Somehow, he already 
knew that this was the first time in more than one thousand years that
the Cave of Yasakami had welcomed any living thing, human or animal, 
into its surreal atmosphere.
   
   The four of them had now reached what seemed to be the end of the
cave. A brief examination revealed that there was a thin opening on 
the left side of the cul-de-sac, and one by one they went through.

    They found themselves in an immense chamber, sealed off from the 
rest of the cavern by granite walls. Imbedded on the walls were chunks 
of blue crystal, which lent the room an uncanny yet soothing bluish 
glow. 

   At the end of the chamber was a magnificent underground waterfall. 
It was rather small--a mere eight feet high--and surrounded by shards 
of crystal, moss, and some green plant growth. The flow of the falling 
water wasn't even strong enough to generate a fine mist. Instead of 
crashing past rocks into a pool of churning foam, the water descended 
in a smooth, unobstructed path, like sake being poured from a jar. 

   Scattered around the waterfall were several crystal-infested pools 
of varying size and depth. The glow that emitted from the crystals 
reflected on the pool surfaces and danced on the ceiling in restless 
ripples of light. The water had a blue-green tint.

   Everything was exactly as Ranma had expected.

   When Shampoo finally spoke, it was in a reverent whisper. "You...
you think this it, Ranma?"

   "I don't think so." Ranma twisted his head about, taking in every 
detail of the place. "I _know_ so."

   Ryouga did his own little scrutiny of the chamber, appraising it 
with wary eyes as he set down his backpack. "So...how exactly do we 
get cured here? Jump in one of the pools?"

   Mousse adjusted his glasses. "That would seem like a start," he 
agreed, "but I am curious to know as to how we're supposed to tell 
which pool is which. I do not wish to turn into anything _else_." 

   "This ain't Jusenkyo, you guys." Ranma's eyes were locked on the 
waterfall. "All those pools ain't gonna cure you. It's the waterfall."

   "You mean all Shampoo have to do is bathe in waterfall, and Shampoo
be cured?" Shampoo blurted out incredulously.

   Ranma nodded. 

   Ryouga blinked. No. It was too easy. After nearly a year of living 
in dual bodies, all they had to do was take a dip in this waterfall, 
and then that was it. No more transforming. No more shame. No more 
hiding.

   It was all too easy.

   "I'll go first," he said aloud.

   Shampoo and Mousse regarded him questioningly. Ranma swiveled 
around and studied Ryouga with narrowed eyes. 

   "Okay," Ranma said.

   Ryouga nodded and turned toward the waterfall at the other side of 
the room.

   "But you gotta do one thing first."

   Ryouga stopped and raised an inquiring eyebrow.

   "You hafta change into your cursed form."

   "WHAT?!?" Ryouga yelled in dismay. The sound bounced off the walls
of the chamber.

   "That's the deal, Ryouga. Like I said, this ain't Jusenkyo. We 
gotta play by different rules." 

   "Wait a minute! Why do I have to change into my cursed form?!??!"

   "What big deal?" Shampoo queried. "There nothing to be ashamed of. 
Ryouga make very tasty piglet."

   "I DO not! And keep away from me!! I don't care WHAT you say, 
Ranma! Get this through your thick head--I am NOT going to--"

   Ranma grabbed a still-babbling Ryouga by his bandanna.

   "--change into--hey, what d'you think you're doing?!"
   
   And tossed him headfirst into one of the pools.

   "I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS, RANMAAAAA--!!!" 

   *SPLASH*

   With lightning-quick speed, Ranma reached into the pool, making 
sure his skin didn't make contact with the cool water, and pulled out
a tiny wriggling, dripping object.

   Shampoo and Mousse stared at it.

   The little black piglet known to them as P-Chan glared sullenly at 
them as it dangled in the air. Ranma was holding him by the spotted 
black-and-yellow bandanna that was now wrapped around the piglet's 
neck like a collar.

   Mousse glanced into the pool where Ryouga had disappeared into. All 
he saw was Ryouga's sleeveless yellow shirt and dark pants, floating 
limply on the water.

   Ranma grinned at them evilly as he began to set the piglet down. 
P-Chan squirmed around to take a bite of Ranma's arm, but Ranma sensed 
the animal's intent and dropped it like a hot potato. P-Chan hit the 
craggy ground squarely on his bottom and emitted an aggravated piggy 
squeal.

   "Well, you were askin' for it," Ranma scolded the piglet. "Now, if 
I'm right, all you gotta do is go to that waterfall and get under the
water." He nudged the piglet on the rump with the toe of his foot.
"Well? What'cha waitin' for, P-Chan?"

   The piglet bweed in protest, but it got up and trotted off in the
waterfall's direction, staring daggers at Ranma over its shoulder as
it went. 
 
   Ranma hurried to the side of the waterfall as P-Chan struggled to
clamber onto its bank. Mousse and Shampoo followed, looking on in 
fascination.

   "Upsie-Daisy." Ranma applied a little push, and P-Chan scrambled up
onto the waterfall's edge. The next second the piglet's hooves slipped
on the wet moss and it tumbled headlong toward the water. Ranma 
lurched forward to grab the animal, but he was too late.

   *SPLASH*

   "Ryouga?!!" 

   The piglet poked its head out of the water and launched into a 
series of indignant squeals. Then it stopped abruptly and stared down 
at the water that swirled around its haunches. Its eyes were round as 
saucers.

   "N-nothing happen," Shampoo breathed. Disappointment clouded her
countenance.

   "'Course not," Ranma declared. "C'mon, P-Chan, you ain't even 
under the waterfall yet. Don't worry--the water ain't that deep--even 
for _you_."

   P-Chan looked dazed as it got to its hooves and slowly approached 
the stream of falling water. It paused an inch between the falls,
hesitating. Then it closed its eyes and lodged itself between the 
pouring water and its ground of impact.

   There was a sudden explosion of blue-green light.

   Ranma squinted in the glare, even as he strained forward to see 
what was happening.

   The light dimmed a little, and Ranma's eyes goggled as he caught 
sight of P-Chan--or what _had_ been P-Chan. 

   Where there should have been a thoroughly-soaked black piglet was a
glittering blue kaleidoscopic object with P-Chan's silhouette. And 
before Ranma's horrified eyes, the little piglet's form began to 
distort and warp itself into a new form.

   It grew a little wider, a little bigger, reshaping itself...

   An amazed gasp tore loose from Shampoo's throat.

   ...into a form that he knew well.

   Mousse nearly dropped his glasses in shock.

   Without warning, the glow ceased abruptly. Ranma, Shampoo, and
Mousse gaped at the spot where, a few seconds before, had been a 
little black piglet. 

   Only this time, P-Chan was gone.

   In its place was the completely naked figure of Ryouga Hibiki.

   He was curled up in a fetal position, perched on his toes, his arms 
around his folded-up legs. The waterfall continued to pour down his 
head, trickling down his face, his shoulders, his thighs, and dripping 
off his eyelashes and the shiny clumps of hair that were plastered down 
over his bandanna and down his forehead. His wet skin glinted with a 
pearl-like luminescence, glimmering off of his well-defined muscles. 
His eyes were shut.

   Mousse decided to protect the innocence of Shampoo's eyes by 
jumping in front of her, but she was already blushing badly as she 
punted him aside.

   Ranma, meanwhile stood by wordlessly, somewhat bothered by Ryouga's 
uncharacteristic stillness. <Maybe he's in shock,> he thought.

   Ryouga finally moved his lips, his eyes still closed. "Hey, Ranma?"

   "Yeah?"

   "Gimme my clothes. I'm freezing my ass off."

   Ranma smirked widely and performed a mock salute. "Whatever ya say, 
P-Cha--I mean, Ryouga."

* * * * * *
  
   Shampoo and Mousse took their respective dips after that, although
Shampoo tried to convince Ranma to take theirs together and Mousse
staunchly insisted that she take her dip with him. In the end, Ryouga
exasperatedly threw them all into the pool and challenged them to 
find their own way into the waterfall while he filled his water bottle.

   Shampoo had been second. When she relinquished her cat-form and 
reverted to her normal one, Mousse-Duck flew out and wrapped a robe 
around her--much to her annoyance. When it was Mousse's turn he 
somehow managed undergo the reformation with his white Chinese robes 
still on. 

   It was Ranma's turn, and he--now a she--approached the waterfall
slowly, as if in a trance. Then she stepped into the spray and felt 
the alteration process run its course.

   It was weird. In that few seconds as he returned to his original 
form, Ranma was certain that he distinctly felt something rip in two
inside of him. 

   When he pulled himself out of the pool, his clothes soaked but
now hundred-percent male, he shoved the disturbing feeling aside and 
indulged himself in a healthy round of shouting and cartwheels.

   "ALL RIIIGHT! NO MORE BEIN' A GUH-HRRL! NO MORE BEIN' A 
GUH-HRRL!!  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

   He even allowed himself an unsettling amount of Kuno-esque laughs
before Ryouga, Shampoo, and Mousse dragged him out of the chamber.

   They left the Cave of Yasakami, laughing, yelling, high-fiving 
each other, and simply reveling in the fact they had been forever 
purged of the Jusenkyo curse. For now, Mousse was not absorbed in his 
undying love for Shampoo, Ryouga was not wallowing in depression or 
his hate for Ranma, Shampoo was not trying to conjure up ways to 
capture Ranma's heart, and Ranma was not pissing anyone off.

   For now.

   They were singing as they made their way back to Nerima, with 
Ranma belting out the lyrics in a horrible falsetto voice and Ryouga 
letting out a series of vigorous "bwee"s after every chorus.
 
   They all refrained from looking back.

* * * * * *

   The chamber in the Cave of Yasakami was still and silent, save for 
the sound of the rushing water from the waterfall. The crystals winked,
the waterfall foamed, and the ripples of reflected light continued 
their perpetual dance across the chamber's ceiling.

   The near-silence was broken as one of the pools began to churn. 
Something reached out of the blue-green froth and grasped at the 
bank.

   It was a human arm.

                         =End of Chapter Seven= 

Next: A return, a revelation, and a legend...