I got a few letters of encouragement to post this very very rough draft of
ACGS CH 5 to the list. I hope u guys from the FFML can help me sort this
out. Help on dialogue, grammar or anything else is appreciated. I really
want to finish this chapter, but right now, I'm a little clueless for
dialogue.
To my other readers, I hope u don't mind seeing this chapter half finished,
please think of it as nothing more than a very long teaser ^_^
Sincerely
Kahlil Noriega
The very, very rough fic�
Ranma � A Chinese Ghost Story - Chapter 5
By Kahlil Noriega
Edited by Kiwi 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!
And like what I did for the 4th chapter, there is a preview
of the 6th chapter included at the end of this post as well as a spoiler /
preview - scene of the third movie of the ACGS series.
Before anything else�
* Legend:
[ ] - Characters thoughts and / or maybe feelings, even to show part of
their dreams.
{ } - Added descriptions, events or scene locations as well as others.
< > - Sound effects for the event (s) / scene (s).
*** - Separation / Transfer to another scene.
- Pictures for this series can be found at my sister's page {Just to help
with visualizing the character}
- This chapter crosses the boundaries between light and dark and back
again.
And with of that said, without further ado�
Ranma � A Chinese Ghost Story - Chapter 5 "As the plow breaks the earth" (
Very Rough Draft)
It is midnight at the temple�
And the darkness of the night lingered ominously overhead as dark clouds
drifted slowly in the sky, partly covering the full moon as its light
pierced through the small rifts in between as a strong wind blew by,
stirring up the leaves below.
The clouds drifted on, pure lightning lighting up the sky as it danced in a
whirling pattern. Thunder rumbled from a distance, its deep and audible
voice vibrating in the night sky.
The wind once again rises from its slumber, caressing the fallen leaves on
the wide stone steps of the temple. The wind shook the branches of the
trees as the silent waters of the pond ripple at its frosty touch
And all is silent once more, except that of the grating sounds of dry
twisted leaves as they were dragged on the rough stone surface of the
temple floors by the moving wind. Darting in between the shadows cast by
the stone pagodas guarding the lotus pool as leaves once again took flight,
caught in the cold embrace of the night air. A hollow moan echoed in the
emptiness of the temple grounds as the wind wandered beneath the dark and
cloudy sky.
Through the shadows of the stone pagodas and over the stone steps�
The all too familiar sight of the crisp clear waters of the pool as it
reflected back the moons dim light.
The leaves fluttered and rose into the air,
Spinning and turning as it flew,
Through the open window of a partly lighted room�
The dry leaf lands on the bed as the wind entered, carefully caressing the
sleeping form within, stirring her hair and making her shiver slightly from
the cold. Though the cold wasn't what chilled her to the bone. As she lay
back on her side, she laid dreaming�
Peaceful and seemingly still except that of the wind blowing the leaves
into the air�
And the full moon, bright and alone in the cloudy sky.
The night air, to roam and caress its sleeping host�
Sleeping. Wrapped in the warmth of the blanket covering her shapely form.
Cheek nestled in the soft arms of her pillow as her fiery hair swayed with
the breeze, lightly covering her closed eyes.
Were dreams of longing and longing become reality. Which fade into mist as
the moonlight yet glistens over the smoky vapors of fog.
And comfort comes blissfully as did the dream�
***
< Light >
Which gradually dissolved into the image of a bright blue sky, the sun
radiant in the heavens, covered partly by small wisps of white clouds that
freely drifted by in the air surrounding it. And underneath it all, lay a
clear and pleasant field of green, where tall grass and blooming, fragrant
flowers thrived in the moist and rich soil. Scattered clumps of trees, tall
as they were wide with branches that reached to the heavens provided a
decent amount of shade underneath for two people to sit comfortably beside
each other.
And in this field stood a quiet man, dressed in robes of fine red silk,
trimmed with precious gold that sparkled under the sunlight. He spun around
from where he stood, taking in the view around him, peace settling inside
him as he lingered and crossed the placid fields. Birds, flying in pairs
darting over and around him as he smiled, a cool breeze stirs the fields,
lifting up fragrant petals to the air�
Ranma walks alone in the quiet field, puzzled but otherwise untroubled by
how he got here. The mood of the place just forbid him to deny it, so
instead he embraced it. Relishing the feel of the surroundings as joy
surged within him.
Suddenly he hears cheerful laughter surround him. He looks up puzzled, and
spun around, looking for its source. Suddenly wary of the intruders as one
approached coming towards him, he stood in a ready stance, prepared for an
oncoming fight. Stopping for a moment, he spots a small shadow coming
closer, feeling a little wary at first.
He smiles when he recognizes her, or thinks he recognizes her. Long,
glistening black hair bounced in the breeze as she ran, her delicate and
well-proportioned body hugged in silk, looking like a fabled nymphs of old
as she ran�
And he smiles in recognition of the girl coming to him.
Akane slows down into a walk as she crossed the distance towards him
slowly. A smile radiating from her ruby red lips as she stopped a few
meters from him. Hands at her side as she gazed longingly at his gentle
blue-gray eyes. Ranma could not help but smile back as he approached her,
turning her head up to face him as she smiled, rubbing her cheek in his
hand as he held her close in his arms.
Akane parts from him slightly, as she looked down and took Ranma's hand
with hers.
"Come on�" she said. Turning her head up to look at him with mischievous
smile radiating from her lips.
"Where?" His face turning into a frown as he looked at her puzzled.
"Somewhere�" she said smiling deeply, trying to avoid his eyes before
looking up again. A faint aura of light surrounding her as she glowed with
the warmth of the sunlight making her even more beautiful in his eyes.
"But�"
"Come on�I have something to show you�" She insisted, smiling happily up at
him.
Ranma relents as he smiled deeply, looking down at her, noticing her
crimson cheeks. Knowing all too well that she too felt the same way as he
did.
Akane takes his hand in hers and drags him along the fields before stopping
at the edge of a bed of flowers before leaving him at the edge of it to
gather flowers herself.
He smiles as he looked at her, gathering flowers of all sorts of colors.
And Akane smiles back at him.
The smiles slides from her face as a shadow seemed to linger suddenly all
around them, her eyes that held happiness a moment ago turning in to fear.
The smile wilts and the flower she held falls from her hands, scattering
petals everywhere.
The scene Ranma sees is warped, and the bloody cries of war raged around
him. In the distance, he watched wide eyed at Akane as he tried to scream a
warning to her, yet no sound came out from his lips as he stood still, arm
extended to the lady he could not reach.
The blade as it came up and behind her. As a forearm pressed against her
neck as her eyes closed in pain, and she gritted her teeth, hands clutching
at the bar of flesh holding her down.
Spinning fully around, he sees Akane in the arms of Happosai. Holding her
hair in his hands and her with legs bent down beneath her. Clawed hands
grasping her hair tightened, causing her pain. Ranma lunges to attack but
couldn't get near as he is attacked while a blistering wall of flame
surrounded him. And as he fought to reach her, Akane looked on at him
through partially closed eyes, tears running down her cheeks as her eyes
pleaded for him to reach her...
Ranma screams out her name, fighting on as Akane tried to whisper something
to him, reaching out to him with an outstretched hand, tears rolling down
her cheek.
The blade Happosai held rose up. And Ranma once again screamed for him to
stop.
"No!!!!" Ranma screamed in horror.
The blade descends and he screams as pain wracked on his own body, prone
from the shock of leaving himself defenseless.
He didn't care how many blades pierced him�
He falls to the ground, as he tried reach out to her with an outstretched
hand, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth as he tried to call her
name once more.
"A�ka�ne�"
Akane looked upon him, with eyes tear streaked and in pain, as she turned
her head down to look at the ground accepting her fate. Ranma screamed yet
again�
"No� A�ka�ne"
And the blade blurred in his vision as it took more speed as a cry pierced
through the darkness before red consumed all.
"NOOOO!!!!"
And he could only scream as he lay there prone, watching as she fell
forward, eyes closing, not to open for him ever again. And he screams a
heart-wrenching cry accompanied by the heartless laughter of her murderer.
Standing there over her body as he smiled back at him before vanishing into
the void.
The barriers withholding him broke as he crawled forward on weakened and
bloody legs towards his fallen bride. Dragging himself on his knees as he
lay there beside her. Caressing back her hair from her whitening face
before running it down to her moist cheek as he cradled her head softly in
his shaking hands as tears streaked down from his eyes to land on her
lifeless body.
"Akane�" he whispered, running a shaking finger on her cold pale lips as
sadness tied yet another rope around his neck as he looked upon her
lifeless form. Remembering that not so long ago, she lived. Her smile, her
warmth, her life�gone�
He could only stay there, bent beside her, as anguish inside built up
inside for his loss, threatening to consume him as he prayed that she might
be all right. Yet his prayers went unanswered as the truth of it burned a
scar within him, making him scream out his pain and his loss�
He screamed out her name at the darkening, rumbling sky echoing in as he
screamed before the dream finally shatters into a million fragments of
broken glass as the grief of his loss consumed this reality giving way to
the darkness of life's own reality�
***
{Ranko's room}
Ranko is shocked awake. Right hand on her temples as the other supported
her from behind,
Ranko shivers as the final moments of the dream faded away, her chest
heaving and sweat covering her forehead as she looked blankly at the sheets
before her. She cradles her head in her hands as she hugged her legs closer
to her chest, drawing herself into a ball as she tried to sort out the
fleeting images from the dream.
Thunder seized the silence, breaking it as it was quickly followed yet by
the flashing of lightning that illuminated the room a moment before
plunging it again into utter darkness once again.
And still Ranko looked blankly at the soft sheets before her, as the play
of thunder and lightning continued in the background.
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 open window with frightened eyes. Glancing at
it from her bed as she turned her body and draped her legs over the side of
the bed as she stood up slowly if not a bit hesitantly.
Walking to the open window. She felt the cold bite of the wind on her skin
as she lifted her hand up to cover her eyes as the wind rushed past her and
into her dark room. Her fiery red hair, playing freely in the wind before
turning her eyes to look at the scene outside�
And she felt much colder deep inside�
And a slight gasp escapes from her mouth as she stared at the view outside.
Storm clouds hovered over the forests like a looming black shadow, covering
all underneath it in darkness. Lightning darting in between the heavens and
the earth as the turbulent wind continued on.
And she stood still, arms at her sides as she scanned the clouds with a
touch of worry tugging in her chest. The dream came to the forefront in her
mind as she gasped and saw the scene before her.
Storm clouds hovered over the forests, dark and violent. Lightning
criss-crossed in the sky, slashing at the space between the heaven and
earth. Flashing in minute intervals, as the wind was slowly picking up in
strength, It's tainted messenger, cold and chaotic in its path.
Only one single thought ran through her mind
["Akane!"] She screamed in her head.
And as if confirmation of the thought, a bright crash of thunder jolted the
sky followed by a bright flash of lightning.
A premonition of evil she thought, as concern overcame her fear and she
quickly dressed in her robes, heading out quickly into the forests...
***
{In the narrow corridors of the temple}
Ryouga is walking in the corridors, his left hand holding a small oil lamp
as he went to go check on Ranko. He felt a cold breeze brush past his
ankles, and suddenly became fearful of what it meant. Rushing down the
hall, he stands shocked for a moment, unable to utter a single word.
Finding the door open, he began to worry as he felt the bitter cold of the
air. He rushes into the room with no second thought, feeling a quick chill
run up his spine as he scanned the room quickly and finds it empty.
He curses lightly�
Fearing the worse, he quickly scrambles to the window in hopes of catching
a glimpse of her. And he is rewarded in seeing her fleeing form exit the
temple grounds into the forests.
"Ranko!" he calls, hoping that she would stop. She didn't, or she could not
hear. The storm outside rages around him as he calls out to her again, his
words only swallowed up by the wind.
The sounds of thunder reverberated along the corridor as lightning lit the
hallway before plunging it back into complete darkness.
"Ranko! Stop!" he screamed again, yet his call still went unheeded as Ranko
sped away.
["I've got to stop her!"] He thought as he leaped out through the window,
landing on the cold hard ground below.
Covering the temple grounds quickly, he dashes across the temple yard as he
finally caught sight of Ranko's slight form disappearing into the forest
ahead of him.
["Ranko�"] He thought puzzled.
The storm clouds continued to thunder overhead�
***
{Within the forest.}
She brushed away vines and leaves�
Panting, Ranko couldn't hear Ryouga calling out to her as she quickly
darted among the trees, venturing deeper into the forests. Fear for the
worse for Akane made her run faster and head deeper. She had to find her.
This she was sure of.
["Akane!"] She shouted in her mind.
Lightning flashed in the sky, lighting the forests briefly.
["Please be all right, Akane�"]
{Leaping over an exposed root before continuing on, still running�}
["I'm coming�"]
She heads deeper into the woods.
["I'm coming Akane�please be all right�please�"]
<Thunder and Lightning>
***
{Somewhere inside the forest.}
The cold wind�.
The sounds of thunder as it echoed throughout the woods�
Ukyou stopped, breathing hard as she leaned on the trunk of a tree, getting
her breath as she looked at the forests before her, empty and dark.
She collapsed onto the ground, exhausted, feeling her strength drained. Her
mind begins to wander back to her conversation with Ryouga, remembering him
free her�
She begins to have dreams of him as she thought more about him.
Ukyou slowly stands up when she hears a sound�
And sees a girl run pass a few meters away from her at a dead run�
"Hmm, I wonder who that could be?" Curios as she walked a few steps closer�
"Running around in the forests, all alone� Huh? Is that Ryouga?!"
She sees Ryouga run past her a few minutes after, and her heart soars out
to him as he sped away�
{Ryouga dashes past her unheeded.}
["Ryouga!"]
Ukyou stood up to go after him, but quickly felt her strength go as she
dropped to ground as she struggled to get up again. Arms supporting her off
the ground as she leaned against a trunk of a tree as she watched
helplessly Ryouga run past her without even noticing. And she felt her
heart sink within as her legs slowly gave way, as she sank to the ground
for she felt her heart leave with him�
And again she tried to get up and off of the ground, and took flight once
more chasing after him�
***
{Somewhere, within the deepest parts of the forests�}
<Strong wind, leaves blowing>
<Lightning>
Within the darkness of the forests, a soft unclothed foot stepped lightly
on the moist and cold ground. Mist swirled around a delicate ankle as the
rest hovered and rolled over the ground.
The tranquil waters of the lake glistened under the light of the moon as a
silently beautiful girl stepped upon its shores. Eyes downcast as she
looked upon the waters of the lake with a hollow emptiness. She was
scarcely clothed as she walked by the shore of the lake, her face showing
her discomfort as she rubbed her elbows and arms, feeling the ribbons on
her arms dangle limply at her side.
Walking to the edge of the lake where the waters of the lake touched
ground, she knelt down, gazing upon her reflection in the rippling water.
Her hand tentatively caresses her cheek as she reaches out and touches her
reflection on the water, distorting it into a million hues as her finger
caressed the surface, disturbing the image of the woman she didn't knew.
So much has changed in so little time. She no longer knew who looked back
at her in the waters. The face, beautiful and clear with eyes of the
deepest black, which held sadness within them. So did her ruby red lips,
which frowned as she turned to look bitterly away from the reflection.
Everything's changed. All that she had ever loved and known, taken away
from her. Except� maybe this�a hollow shell of a person she didn't know
anymore�
Nor cared for�
Lifting her head up, taking her eyes off the still sparkling water, she
stood up slowly, making a quick scan of her surroundings. Quiet trees,
empty and devoid of life, silent and looming in the background as it stood
by the edge of the lake which still sparkled under the moonlight, a cold
shimmering mist hovering lazily over the surface of the waters. A gentle
breeze passed by, stirring her hair and ribbons at her side�
Looking back again, Kodachi took all of the images she saw as a new memory
before, like the wind, faded from sight. Leaving behind the rippling waters
of the lake, still sparkling in the moonlight�
***
{In an another part of the woods, some distance from the coming storm}
Cold winds slowly picked up as it sped deeper into the heart of the woods.
The shadows from the light of the moon played lazily on the cold ground,
forming little images here and there.
Dry leaves tumble on the moist and soft ground as mist slowly rose up to
greet the evening sky, curling and flowing within itself as it crawled
along the forest floor, blanketing it in a shimmering white haze. Fireflies
darted among the tree leaves as they dripped cold wet moisture from what
was left of the rain, leaving everything else to sparkle in the moonlight,
lightening the darkness underneath the quiet canopy.
In a deeper part of the forest
In the heart of the woods...
Appearing from thin air, Kodachi head bowed with down cast eyes she
gracefully lands on a bough of a tree as she balanced herself on the thin
branch she lightly stepped on. Still deep in thought as she walked around
the branch and leaned herself on the trunk of the tree, hand caressing its
rough skin as she rested her cheek against it before she lowered herself
down to sit.
["So cold and hollow�why?"] Looking down at the empty ground below her�
Right leg dangling underneath her, she balanced herself on the limb of the
tree, her frail clothing blowing in the wind as she sat there in quiet
contemplation�
["Alone�with no memory of my previous life."]
Kodachi hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on her arms, face
devoid of emotion, a mask to hide the turmoil within her.
["Why?"] The thought came unanswered�
As a strong cold breeze blew by as she closed her eyes, feeling the
emptiness inside her. She wanted to cry�
Hearing the sounds of heavy breathing, she suddenly turned her attention
elsewhere�
Her interests suddenly piqued as the sounds of heavy breathing grew louder.
Opening her eyes, her head tilts up as she saw a running figure dart pass
her underneath the tree branch she was sitting on.
Curious, she smiles deeply as a thought played itself in her mind as she
slowly rose off from the branch straitening herself before she made herself
vanish from sight.
***
{Forest floor. A man Sprinting through the woods.}
<Sounds of heavy breathing>
["Mustn't�uhh� lose her! Not again�not again..."]
Ryouga ran along the forest path, sweat beading down his forehead. Then he
senses an incoming projectile heading towards him. He leaps away.
["What the?"]
And leaps yet again. A ribbon, darting like snake impales itself and
through the tree he was hiding behind. He leaps away again, standing in a
clearing, his stance prepared and ready.
A woman's laughter can be heard all around him. Sharp and dripping with
coldness�
Ryouga spun around, looking for the source of the voice.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" He stares warily around him�
Laughter answers him, surrounding him and filling his ears...
"Where are you?! Show yourself!"
Laughter again, yet this time, a beautiful woman stepped out from the
darkness, hovering a few meters above and before him.
{ Need to describe the girl and her position. Cold uncaring eyes, looking
at him blankly, the ribbons on her arms with its ends waving in the air,
like snakes ready to pounce on its victim. Her hair dancing in the wind.
And a small ball bell tied at her ankle. Golden chain tied around her neck.
And her clothes. }
"Who are you?" Ryouga demanded, bringing out his umbrella.
Ryouga stood in a fighting stance, umbrella poised over his shoulder as he
considered the woman before him.
Lifting her eyes to look at him, she smiled. Eyes cold and uncaring, the
ribbons twisting around her were tied on her forearms, as they silently
danced in the wind like coiled snakes waiting to strike.
"I said who are you, damn it!" Ryouga shouted a bit impatient, if not a
little eager, as if itching for a fight.
"Ko�da�chi�" she whispered softly and slowly in a seductive voice sheathed
with cold ice.
"You're one of them!" Ryouga accused as he leveled his umbrella before him.
She doesn't respond but only looks at him blankly, giving away nothing as
she smiled deeply as if amused by it all. Ryouga begins to get angry and a
little worried. ["What to do? She's slowing me down�wait�could it�"]
Ryouga snarled as he spoke without thinking, "What have you done with
Ranko?"
She smiled even deeper, yet it never reached her eyes...
"Damn you! Answer me!" Fury pulsed through him as she ignored him once
again.
She lets out a small giggle as amusement lit her eyes and she continued to
watch him from afar.
"Aaarrgghh! Why won't you answer me?"
The smile vanishes as she fixed cold uncaring eyes at him before lifting a
hand and shooting a ribbon straight at him.
Surprised, Ryouga leaps back to avoid the attack. Again another one
followed it in less than a heartbeat. Ryouga jumps, an overhead slash aimed
at her. She suddenly disappears then reappearing behind him as he began to
descend. He tries for a back handed slash, yet she disappears once more.
Ryouga lands on the ground, eyes scanning his surroundings.
"Where did she go?" he exclaimed as he scanned the forests for any sign of
her
Laugh answers him once again�
Kodachi appears a few meters away from him, walking slowly, still looking
at him. A cold smile painted on her face as she circled slowly around him.
Ryouga leaps to attack, but to his frustration, she disappears even before
he lands the blow.
He hears a small chime behind him ring and he turns around to see her
looking at him, eyes holding a certain glint. As she stepped behind a tree
and into the clearing�
<Chink><Chink><Chink> The small bells at her ankle ringed as she stepped
lightly on the ground. Slowly circling him from behind. Arms dangling at
her side as her ribbons trailed her from behind, dragging on the ground as
she watched him closely.
["She's toying with me!"] And Ryouga snarled as he felt anger well up
within him, feeling his pride stained by the mockery to which this ghost
put him through.
He charges towards her in blind rage, attacking in blind fury, yet each
blow met only empty air as she quickly vanished into thin air with each
attack before reappearing once again in another place.
{Need to describe the fight}
He felt tired, his muscles ached and his breathing shortened to ragged
gulps of air. What fueled his anger though was the fact that he could not
even lay a single finger on her. Finally he couldn't take it anymore. The
mockery got to him as he charged his ki, chanting as he did so. He
unleashed a torrent of small fireballs, screaming his anger that rivaled
even the strong explosion of his blasts. It exploded behind her, as she
reappeared again, this time charging him. Surprised by this, Ryouga loses
his balance as she lands a well-placed punch on him.
The impact made him fall to the dirt, desperately rolling away once he
touched ground. And he waits in a ready stance, umbrella poised in front of
him.
Gritting his teeth he prepares himself for an attack.
Suddenly the ground sinks beneath him before it explodes sent dust
scattering everywhere.
Off balanced, he quickly recovers as he leaped into the air just as a
spiral of razor sharp ribbons darted to him from where he previously stood.
Ryouga dodges the engulfing ribbons surrounding him as he charged up his
chi, delivering a powerful chi blast at the center of the ribbons. He
warily lands beside it in a ready stance as the pillar burned slowly behind
him.
He is not given time to rest as Kodachi reappears and shoots another ribbon
toward him. He rolls away and stares back at Kodachi who had an amused
glint in her eye as she grinned down at him. Angered, he quickly got up and
leaped at her, bringing his umbrella to bear on her as she dodged his
strikes before disappearing at his final slash. Ryouga looks on confused as
she reappeared behind him with a slash of her own from a sword ribbon.
Ryouga feels the pain of the slash but has the sense of mind to roll away
avoiding her follow up attack from behind. He doesn't get far though from
his roll as a ribbon snaked its way on the ground, wrapping itself on his
leg as he felt himself being dragged away. He turns around so that he is
lying on his back as he was dragged only to see Kodachi's blade in hand
descending on him from above. Smile gleaming and eyes shining in the
moonlight. She clearly enjoyed this.
Ryouga rolls to the side as Kodachi's blade imbeds itself in the ground. He
leaps up to safety as he slashed at the ribbon tied on his leg, cutting it.
Ryouga grits his teeth. [This is taking too long! Ranko could be anywhere!
But there's a big chance this ghost knows where she is�] Concentrating, he
fires a chi blast at her again.
The blast zips past her as she dodged and flew towards him. A certain gleam
in her eyes as she streaked towards him.
Desperate, Ryouga braces his umbrella before him as both her blade and his
umbrella collided in a series of sparks as they traded blows before both
combatants separated from each other. Trying to out flank the other as they
moved to the sides.
{The fight scene are a bit too long. Maybe they could move somewhere else
when they fight, let's say hop from tree to tree instead of having the same
sequence 'ryouga mad--> hits Kodachi with chi blast --> Kodachi disappears,
reappears somewhere else' it's getting too tedious.}
{Add more to the fight scene}
He doesn't see a blade screaming behind him and as he turned he thought it
was too late. He closes his eyes, unprepared for the incoming blow,
And a blur slides in its way taking the blow�
Ryouga slowly opens his eyes�
Ukyou intercepts a projectile and is thrown into his arms. As both of them
topple. The girl, who saved his life, lay on top of him as he carefully
sits upright, cradling her in his lap.
They stare into each other's eyes for a while and her eyes slowly begin to
close. He sees the knife behind her and he grits his teeth as he saw this,
more so knowing that she saved his life, possibly in exchange of her own.
Pulling the knife away, he tosses it aside, turning her over as he cradled
her head in his arms.
"Ukyou? Why?" his words spoke of anguish�
"Ry�ou�ga�" she said softly, smiling up at him, a tear falling down her
cheek.
A small cry escapes her throat as she felt the pain course through her from
the gaping wound.
"Why? �Why put yourself in danger for me?" Ryouga asked, bewildered and
worried.
"I don't know why�a life for a life�I guess�" she whispered softly to him
as she gave him a reassuring smile. Her eyes gently closed as she went limp
in his shaking arms.
And she slid off of him slowly�
"No! Ukyou! Please�" He shouted at her, running his hand on her soft cheek.
"Uhh�" she breathed. And he smiled.
"You're going to be fine�stay still�you're going to be fine�" Ryouga
murmured.
Kodachi appears before him, hovering a few feet away, eyes slightly puzzled
by the show of affection between the two. A twinge of jealousy crawled up
within her as she watched him lay the girl down gently on the ground and
faced her with tear streaked eyes. He leveled his umbrella before him
again, pure determination filling his eyes. Kodachi sighs as she looked at
the man before her�
Ryouga shocked at her sudden appearance felt the burning anger seize him
again. The attacks and taunts he could be forgiven, but to endanger his
friends�no. He readied himself for a fight. A battle he knew he must win�
Kodachi just looks on amused at the sudden turn of events.
{Describe fight Scene, Ryouga vs Kodachi}
Ryouga begins a furious attack. Kodachi dodges and counters them all.
Ryouga is furious and getting tired, focused only on Kodachi.
A snake like ribbon drops from the tree above him, encircling his throat in
a vise like grip. Surprised by the move, Ryouga falters in his attack and
drops his weapon on the ground, reaching up to try to unclasp the tied
ribbon around his neck. He was unaware of several others that darted out
from the darkness of the forest, each one taking his wrists and ankles.
Ryouga is spread eagle in the air, several ribbons tied on his arms and
legs as well as neck and chest. He tries to struggle with his bonds and
tries to call out a spell of warding, but to his despair another ribbon
ties around his mouth, stopping him from uttering the words for the
incantation.
In a blind instant, he is captured.
Kodachi appears before him, arms behind her back as she leans forward
seductively. She floats forward to lean on him, smiling as he tries to
fight back. She presses her body close to him, absently toying with the
locks in his hair.
"So strong�and warm." Her voice holding affection in every word "So very
much alive�I want life�"
Ryouga tries to struggle, but the bonds on his arms and legs only
tightened, the gag in his mouth preventing him to speak.
"So young� and so�_very_ foolish�" Her tone took on hardness as she gazed
into his eyes, before leaning her cheek on his beating chest.
"You came for your friend? I too long for one�" a sigh escapes from her
lips as she toyed a finger on his chest.
Ryouga tries to speak through his gag as well as struggling with the bonds.
Yet the more he struggled the tighter it went.
"You don't know how lonely it gets being all alone�" She turns her head to
look up at him, her eyes glinting as if asking for something only he could
provide�
"Soon, your pain will end� your life feeding mine�"
She rises so that they are face to face, her slightly above.
"And we will be together�" her voice took on a tinge of hope at the same
time longing�
Kodachi lowers her head to kiss him, as a small wisp like tendril escapes
Ryouga's throat, feeling his soul being ripped apart.
["This is the end�Ranko�I'm�sorry..."] He spoke in his mind as he felt his
strength draining away from him.
{Insert Dramatic sequence, of a blade appearing from out of no where.}
A blade darts out from nowhere straight towards Kodachi. She blocks a
series of strikes before leaping away, looking warily around her.
The bonds holding Ryouga are burned away by fire and he fell forward,
grunting as he is suddenly caught in the arms of a darting figure in long
gold and red robes.
***
{The attacker in a confused state at the intrusion of the stranger.}
Annoyance radiating from her as she looked at the new comer.
{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 exclaimed.
{More dialogue, between master and Ryouga. Master notices Kodachi. Another
exchange with Ryouga.}
{Master leaves to deal with Kodachi and they fight. Taking their fight into
the forests, leaving Ryouga behind as they fought.}
***
{The end of the fight.}
Kodachi backs away, her forehead creasing in both worry and anticipation,
"Damn monk!"
{Ryouga crawled up to them, as the fight is nearly finished.}
"Master�" Ryouga tried to get up. "Uhhh�" he collapses and cringes in pain.
The old monk looks at Ryouga. "You're going to have to sit down on this
one�"
"But Master�"
"No buts, Ryouga, I can handle this witch!" he exclaimed, glaring at
Kodachi.
"Hmph, overly confident, aren't we, old man�."
{Kodachi and Monk fight for a short while, but Kodachi felt really tired.
Using too much power in her first battle made it difficult to fight, She
retreats into the sanctity of the forests to rest and escape.}
"Humph! Another day, witch� Another day� Hmmm�" the master said as he
watched her vanish into thin air.
***
{Master returns from the fight with Kodachi�}
"Ahh!" he exclaimed as he landed down on the cold hard ground. He adjusted
his golden robes and turned to look at Ryouga who was just getting up to
greet him.
"Master�"
"Just rest Ryouga, you've just suffered some minor bruises."
{ Monk and Ryouga talk. Mostly about the teachings etc�}
"Ryouga!" Ukyou cried as she flew over to him, emerging from the forest as
she flew into the clearing.
"Another one of you! You don't know when to give up do you?!"
"No!" Ukyou screamed as she saw the master lunge at her to attack, she
dodges the attack before landing on the ground.
"Master! No!" Ryouga shouts, but was ignored.
Master swings his staff, spinning it in the air as Ukyou tried to dodge his
attacks.
"No! It's a mistake! Stop! Please!"
{Insert Dialogue between all three}
{During the fight, the master throws some harsh insults at Ukyou, Ukyou is
of course distressed by all this, her hopes being tarnished by a holy man.}
{To be included in the dialogue:
"You are evil and you will only mislead my student. It is your curse, that
you still roam this land and have not attained peace. It is the likes of
you and all your kind that corrupt the world and all who dwell in it!"
"That's not true, I would never try to hurt Ryouga!"
"Liar, your mere presence alone sucks the life and heart out of him!"
"I don't want to hurt him, please stop, and we'll talk�"
"More lies!"
"Master, she's telling the truth!"
"Ryouga, don't be ensorcelled by this demon, don't fall for her charms, all
are mere illusions to cloud the mind!"
"Master she's done nothing of the sort!"
"Then you've fallen deeply into her spell, Ryouga, I have no other choice
but to destroy her!"
Ukyou's voice sounded hollow to her own ears as she heard herself plead for
innocence.
"Am I? I see no reason to trust the words of a ghost. I am not the one who
roams the earth. And neither will you take my student from me!"]
The master screamed as he leaped into the air, slashing at with his long
staff at Ukyou as he landed on the ground. Ukyou dodged his attacks but
without suffering a few cuts and bruises as she felt her power slowly drain
out of her causing her to tire easily.
"What care does a ghost have for one that is human and alive?" The master
carried on as he attacked. "Ghosts are not of this world and yet still wish
to live in it."
"I don't wish any harm to anyone!"
"Your presence alone is harmful enough, you drain the life of other's to
feed your own. Seduce honest men to sin and kill!"
*************
-end of the dialogue to be included}
***
{Ryouga interferes with his Master}
"Master! Please stop!"
"Ryouga stay back, you'll only aggravate your injuries."
"Master please stop it's all a misunderstanding! Master! Please�Stop�" His
cries are lost as he falls to the ground unheeded and unnoticed by the two
as Ukyou tried to flee within the confines of the forests. Pursued by
Ryouga's Master.
{The fight continues. Monk vs a dodging Ukyou}
{Exchange between master and student.}
Ryouga intercepts and clash of student between master.
"Ryouga�I cannot permit this, as your mentor and your guardian."
"Master�"
{Ukyou leaves. }
"Can't you understand?"
{Ryouga reprimands master chases after her.}
After Ryouga left, the master looks on at the departing figure that was his
student.
Master slightly disgusted and a little troubled, he shrugs it off in the
end as he slowly walked back to the temple, looking forward for some rests.
"The impetuousness of youth�" <sigh>
"What is this world coming to�"
***
{The forests}
{These are the thoughts of Ukyou as she ran into the forests.}
["You are evil and you will only mislead my student. It is your curse, that
you still roam this land and have not attained peace. It is the likes of
you and all your kind that corrupt the world and all who dwell in it!"]
["No you're wrong!"] Ukyou's voice sounded hollow to her own ears as she
heard herself plead her innocence.
["Am I? I see no reason to trust the words of a ghost. I am not the one who
roams the earth. By the mear fact you are still here, proves the taint on
your soul. You wish to be with my student yes? And neither will you take my
student from me!"] The master screamed as he leaped into the air, slashing
at with his long staff at Ukyou as he landed on the ground. Ukyou dodged
his attacks but without suffering a few cuts and bruises as she felt her
power slowly drain out of her causing her to tire easily.
["What care does a ghost have for one that is human and alive?"] The master
carried on as he attacked. ["Ghosts are not of this world and yet still
wish to live in it."]
["I don't wish any harm to anyone!"]
["Your presence alone is harmful enough, you drain the life of other's to
feed your own. Seduce honest men to sin and kill!"] Another slash directed
at her from the master.
The voices subside as the image of the forest before her slowly cleared
through her tear covered eyes, the droplets evaporating in the wind as she
ran.
Ukyou considers masters' words and felt depression slowly begin to squeeze
her chest threatening to burst in a flood of tears that would leave her
emotionally scarred if not already by the masters harsh words as she
continued to run away, very hurt. Running to escape the phantom voices of
the master or from the truth, either one would cause her pain, this she
knew. And she ran.
***
{Somewhere behind her, Ryouga is chasing her.}
"Ukyou!" Ryouga shouted as he tried desperately to keep her in sight. He
still couldn't believe that a ghost could actually thrown them onto an
oncoming projectile to save a living being.
["To think I could go off and disobey the master! Risking it all, for a
ghost girl I don't even know that well. Except that�she saved my life. Me,
a ghost- hunter above all else�"] he mentally shakes the thought off as he
saw what lay before him.
Before him, the woods slowly thickened as he went deeper. The signs of her
passage lessened as he continued on. He grits his teeth as he pushed on.
["Mustn't lose her! �"]
Sounds of the thunder echo behind him.
***
{Deeper in the woods, ahead of Ryouga.}
{Ukyou}
<Ukyou! �. > Ryouga's voice called from behind her as she sped away, deeper
into the forests.
She hears Ryouga's call. But ignores it as she sped away into the dark
recesses of the forests. ["I've already caused him too much pain�Argghh
aahh"]
She collapses from the strain of running and of the wound as her strength
left her, draping herself over the trunk of a fallen tree. Tears brimming
in her eyes as she felt the presence of a man behind her. She didn't need
to turn her head to know who the man behind her was. Ryouga stood silently,
considering what to do.
"Please leave me alone, I don't want your pity."
Ryouga falls silent for a moment. This he didn't expect, nor was did he
felt capable in situations such as this. So he told her the truth instead�
"I don't pity you. More so, I even admire you�"
Ukyou falls silent. Surprised by his reply. This she didn't expect, least
of all, from him�
"Wha�what do you mean? I don't understand." Ukyou spoke clearly puzzle by
his words, sincere she thought but she still looked at his eyes which only
confirmed it.
Ryouga turns around, surprised by what he said as he turned away looking at
the empty sky above him. Closing his eyes he tried to sort out what he was
feeling, the reasons why he spoke those words and it came willingly to him
as he voiced them out.
"Even though you're a ghost� You're more human than those others who really
are that I've come across, it's a rare quality to find more so to find it
in one that is not�well�not alive that is." Ryouga manages to smile
afterwards as he turned around to look at her; he didn't realize he was
sermoning a ghost. It was just so easy to forget all the teachings around
ghosts� Embarrassed that he could preach this�
Ryouga continues on saying.
"I never thought, I'd say this actually. Not to a ghost anyway�Thank you
for saving my life."
{Insert Drama Scene�}
{Insert Waff Scenes�}
Ryouga slips and falls. Ukyou laughs. Ryouga looks pained, but this only
makes Ukyou laugh harder, slowly Ryouga is affected too and they both
laugh.
{They talk about other things and of Ryouga's master.}
"Master's not all that bad. He can be rough at times, I agree. But he
really is a good person inside. You'll come to like him, as he does with
you, eventually. He'll get over it once the two of you get to know each
other...You'll see."
"Why? What's so funny?" Ryouga asked curiously.
"It's been so long that I've laughed."
"Really now�"
"Really." Ukyou answered back.
"Why is that?"
"I've never had a reason to laugh before, much less someone to really laugh
with�" Ukyou's mirth slowly died as they looked at each other before each
dropped there stare to look at the ground.
Shared silence between them.
"What's it like being dead?" Ryouga asked, trying to deaden the silence
between them.
"You mean being a ghost."
"Same thing." Ryouga replied absently.
"Nothing much really."
"But you got powers and all�"
"Nothing else is different actually. Both leave you empty inside. All the
things you've known and love, gone - Taken away from you. Sure I possess
power. Power to phase through walls, become invisible� But those powers
hardly matter to me anymore�"
{Looking sad}
"�It's just a constant reminder of what I've already lost�"
{Eyes looking far away, as if day-dreaming, a wishful look�}
"�The warmth and feel of human touch, not this cold interior I'm always
feel. Of longing for something I could never attain ever again."
{Disappointment as she looked down at her body}
"Feeling the heat of the sun on my bare skin, not the searing pain when I'm
exposed to its light. To be devoid of this hunger for human life so that I
could feed my own�"
"That's my life now, if you call that a life�"
"So what was your life back then? Before all this�" Ryouga asked softly,
unsure if he should go on any further. Seeing as how it hurt her so much to
tell this�
"Very different than it is now�"
Looking wistful as if relieving the past that died soon after as the
present slowly seeped back in�
"So much so that I feel I no longer belong. So much has changed� " She
looks on sadly at the ground before her as if remembering a memory so long
ago. Eyes that held a joy a moment ago, turned and looked down in sadness.
Ryouga shares her burden for a while though fidgeting a little at the
unwelcome silence born between them. Couldn't take the silence no longer�
Ryouga spoke up, asking a question that nagged at him as he watched her
contemplating on the past.
"Tell me�What are you thinking about right now?"
"Just the past�" Ukyou replied softly.
"The past?" Ryouga sounding confused.
"My former life, my life before this�"
"What was it like?" He asked genuinely curious.
"You don't want to know�" Ukyou looked at Ryouga as if begging him not to
press any further. Though behind it all, she did. And Somehow, Ryouga felt
it too, she needed the release or it would consume her.
"No�I do. I do want to know�about your life, your troubles. I mean, it
couldn't be much worse than mine�" Ryouga tried to assure her, but failed
miserably as his statement came out more as a lie. Ukyou shrugs the comment
off, though she did feel glad that Ryouga at least tried to comfort her,
and give her strength and hope�this she treasured the most.
"No�" She said softly, almost longing that he would change the subject.
"Really�one adventure leading on to the next, its just a never ending cycle
of my life�" Trying to lighten the mood somewhat, though failing miserably
yet again. Ukyuo half smiles at this as she turned to look at him from the
corner of her eye.
"At least you still have a life�"
"What do you mean?" Ryouga asked a bit puzzled by that.
"I mean this, all this. This is all that I have of my life. A life of
running, with no other reason except to run from something� Never leaving
from it, with no apparent direction in life or end to it, except to avoid
or destroy it in others."
"What was your life then?"
"You really want to know?" Ukyou asked a bit hesitant.
"Yes I do�"
{Insert Waffiness. A build up for a Ryouga/Ukyou relationship}
{Ukyou narrating her story and her past.}
***
{The past � Revisited.}
A dark room adorned with many curtains and pillows. {Think of the shrine in
Chapter 3 but this time, this room has walls.}
Candle light�
Two women at the center of a pile of pillows�
Ukyou preparing Akane for the trip.
Akane is dressed in a red wedding gown; her hair tied in a bun on top while
Ukyou wore a blue and white robe.
She is arranging Akane's make up.
"Ukyou?" Akane asked softly, her head tilted down as she looked at the
table.
"Yes Mistress?" Ukyou said happily from behind her, stroking back her long
black hair.
"I�" Akane paused as she smiled. Though it vanished quickly, replaced by a
thoughtful frown, hidden behind her titled head.
"Come on�you can tell me. What is it?" Ukyou prodded on, Akane needed the
encouragement. And Ukyou had at least an idea of where this conversation
was leading to�
"Well, aren't you a bit nervous?
"Why should I be? I'm not the one who's getting married!"
"Well, its just that I�"
"Don't tell me your backing out now?" Ukyou sounded concerned.
"No! No. It's just that�"
"What?" Ukyou prodded.
"Well It's just that I'm not sure if I'm ready for this or not."
"You'll do just fine. Trust me."
"You really think so?"
"I know so, you'll make a great wife. I just know it! Now there! Finished."
She finishes arranging the ceremonial headdress for the wedding. Studded
with long beads of white pearls that fell beside her head, gold and reds
adorning the headdress.
"You wouldn't want to keep your new husband waiting now would you�"
"No, I guess not�"
Ukyou just smiles as she looked at Akane blush.
***
{Outside of the palace}
Palace gates with tall wooden gates, now open, men scurrying about with
their own chores. A taskmaster is calling the shots to those under him.
Some men hitching a horse. And arranging banners. It's a busy atmosphere.
"Hey! Get the horses ready, we're moving out soon. Hurry up!"
More men moved about at the call of the man.
"Is everything ready?" Ukyou asks.
{Talk with the servant.}
Outside the palace, men can be seen running and arranging the horses and
equipment for the journey. There's a strong wind blowing and clouds
gathering over the horizon.
Akane and Ukyou step out of the palace doors conversing.
***
Preparation for the journey to the country� They move out.
"There's a storm coming, do you think it's ok to travel at this late an
hour mistress?"
"We'll be ok, besides we have an armed guard to protect us. I'm sure we'll
be perfectly safe."
"I really hope so Mistress, I really hope so."
"Don't worry about it Ukyou, everything will be alright."
"Ok, I just can't help the feeling�"
"It will be ok�" Akane tried to reassure her.
Akane just smiled in reply as she patted Ukyou's hand before heading off to
the red and gold sedan chair. Ukyou just watched silently from afar.
"Mistress�"
The long procession is under way, monks in forming two parallel lines,
chanting prayers and offerings. Followed by an armed guard then finally the
sedan chair where Akane sat in. Ukyou rode by beside her on a strong brown
stallion. Her hair bouncing in the afternoon breeze.
***
They prepare to go and yells of movement echo forth from the lead column
The night came slowly as dark clouds lingered overhead. The moon is full
into the night and a light breeze passed by among the travelers as they
paused at the entrance of a huge gaping forest.
The lieutenant felt uneasy as he raised his hand and stopped, along the
linemen passed on the message as everyone stopped before the forest.
Ukyou draws up beside the sedan chair.
"Why have we stopped?" Akane asked from within the chair.
" I don't know my mistress�"
Akane became worried at that.
As Ukyou's horse pranced beside the sedan chair.
Satisfied with his inspection, he orders his men forward, And the do. As
all of them enter the forest.
The wind suddenly grew stronger as the leaves rattled in the trees.
***
{Back in the forests}
{Cut to Ryouga and Ukyou. Ukyou tells him her sorrow and continues on}
"And we entered the forest� I had a bad feeling that night�Sometimes I
wished that we'd never gone at all. But it's too late now I guess, dreaming
and yearning for the past that I will be never be able relive again,
yearning for something that could never be�"
"So what happened next, when you entered the forest�"
Ukyou moves away, as she tentatively rested a hand on the bark of a tree,
gazing out at the forest before her as she continued on with her story�
"It was very dark that night, the lanterns the servants held on either side
of us didn't help much, no matter how many we lit, the darkness continued
to eat up the light as we went deeper into the woods�"
***
{Dark forest.}
{Ukyou telling the story now}
"So cold�" Ukyou whispered to no one as she rubbed her arm as the other
held on to the reins of the horse. Ukyou looks on far ahead, seeing the men
walking slowly in front of her in a long procession extending several
meters ahead. Some held lanterns tied on long bent poles as they made their
way through the forest floor. The wind seemed unbelievably cold tonight�
The darkness of the forest as they walked through it�
Ukyou a little uneasy on her horse and rides up beside the sedan chair as
she leaned over to talk to Akane.
"Mistress?"
"What is it Ukyou?" Akane replied from inside the sedan chair.
"Shouldn't we be finding shelter by now?"
"We will, as soon as we find one�"
"Couldn't we just pitch up camp here?"
"I don't know, is that wise?"
"I don't know�"
'I guess it's best if we continue on, the lieutenant will get us through
this�"
The men feel a bit wary and so is Akane at the silence from the men and the
noise outside her sedan.
A cry from a man and followed there after.
{A battle}
"Mistress!"
Ukyou gallops off to the sedan chair when a dark blur runs pass her mount
and she is at a lost trying to calm the startled creature as she falls off
her mount. Landing on the hard unyielding ground somewhat dazed from the
fall.
She looks on horrified as she saw some of the men fighting creatures from
nightmares. Falling quickly as they were easily picked off like children in
a fight with grown men.
Ukyou runs to the sedan chair and is greeted by Akane coming out they look
in fear and worry
"Ukyou? What's going on?"
"An attack. We must escape, Mistress."
A man attacks them as Ukyou blocks the attack with her sword, before
killing it.
They both run to the forests and is chased
The howls of their pursuers following them
***
{Cut to Ukyou and Ryouga, she tells him that they ran and ran but could not
go on, they were beginning to get tired}
"We ran and we ran, it seemed like forever until�"
{Insert more dialogue and description}
***
{The dark forest}
Ukyou and Akane running, screaming chase then and Akane stops and is bumped
by Ukyou from behind. Both try to regain their balance as small pieces of
rock tore lose from the edge of the cliff
The sounds of raging water below them and of the waterfall a few meters
beside them. The waters looking cool and inviting, shimmering under the
moon light.
***
{Cut to Ukyou and Ryouga again�}
"Tell me you didn't!"
Ukyou backing away from him slightly as Ryouga steps forward and confronts
her. Holding her by her shoulders as Ukyou looks down at the ground.
Ukyou just bows her head, daring not to look at him. Afraid of what she'll
see in his eyes.
"It was either to be taken or death" she whispered almost crying, as she
recalled the memory of that night.
"Ryouga?" Ukyou asked, wanting to know what he thought and felt as she
looked up at him, seeing his eyes slightly glazed with tears that wouldn't
come out.
" It's ok, " he whispered, trying to reassure her. "�I understand, there
was no another way." And it felt hard admitting that; death was never easy
to swallow.
Ukyou just wept in his arms
"It's ok."
Ryouga tried to think. ["What could possibly be the reason? Why them?"]
"But why? Why would they chase you two?"
"I�I do not know."
"Ukyou�I�I don't know what to say."
"Nothing need be said about it. What's done is done, let us not dwell on
the past any longer."
"Alright�If that's the way you feel about�"
Silence between the two.
"Ryouga� Hold me."
"Wha�wha�what?" Ryouga said in surprise as his head jerked around to face
her.
"Please� hold me. It's been so long since I ever felt the warmth of a man's
touch much less an embrace."
"But I�"
"Please, I need�Would you?"
Hesitantly he moves his arms to embrace her. And he feels the biting cold
of her 'flesh' like bitterly cold ice sapping his heat and the warmth from
his skin. Yet a part of the coldness in his heart began to melt with its
own warmth and new strength.
She tightens her grip on him, almost burying her face on his shoulder as
she wept openly. Relishing the warmth of a man and feeding the void within
her heart.
After a few moments of warmth between them�
"Are you feeling better now?" Ryouga asks a bit unsure of what to do
Ukyou hesitantly disentangles herself from him, feeling joy inside for his
company. She stares at the ground then slowly lifts up to look into his
eyes. And smile upon seeing his face. She nods her head and resumes
looking into his eyes.
"Yes�I'm fine."
Ryouga thinks for a while, then he quickly remembers something
"Ranko!" ["I can't believe I've forgotten about her�"]
"Who�" Ukyou asks confused.
"The girl I was chasing, I have to find her�" Ukyou looks a bit pained.
["She seems to be important to him."]
"I'll go help you look for her�"
{Add Filler/ Descriptions or more dialogue}
"Thanks Ukyou"
Ryouga nods. He still could not believe himself. A ghost hunter, feeling
this way for a ghost.
Ukyou embraces him again, only this time much harder and tighter. Ryouga
returns the hug.
"My, my, now isn't this touching�"
{Interruption of Kodachi}
"Kodachi! Argghhh" Ryouga screams
The ground erupts between them. Flinging Ukyou away from him and closer to
Kodachi
Ryouga lands and lunges to go get her.
Arms tied and leg bound, lifted a few feet of the ground. Time seemed to
slow as the piercing ribbon rushed for his chest.
"Huh, Ryouga! Aaaaaaaaah" Kodachi attacks her with her ribbons. Tying her
up.
Ukyou is bound and choked at the neck and is brought to Kodachi's side
<Choke>
"Ry�ou�ga�" Ukyuo cried as she struggled for air...
Ryouga looks on at her. Unable to move, struggling with his bonds
"Ukyou!" Ryouga screamed
A bed of swords pierced through the topsoil and through Ryouga's legs and
arms, wounding him.
"So simple to kill you now, but I won't."
Ukyou wrapped in ribbon, her face strained from being choked as tears
freely flowed down from eyes.
Ukyou is kidnapped. Both her and Kodachi disappear.
Upon seeing them disappear Ryouga screams in anguish. The ribbons that
bound him burst into flames and he falls on to the hard ground.
***
{After the abduction}
Ryouga's bitter anger at his loss and failure for not being able to protect
them�
"Noooooo!"
Ryouga in pain, kneeling in defeat.
"Ranko�Ukyou�. I promised� that I would protect you both�" he barely
whispered pass through his sobs.
He whispers a vow to save them.
- End of Chapter 5
- Next Chapter
"When there's no peace in heaven"
** Authors note:
I kind of hurried this one up, sorry about that for this chapter has been
delayed for quite some time now.
Also, added is a brief preview of chapter 6 for those who want to get an
approximate idea of what's going to happen in the next chapter. And a
spoiler / teaser for "A Chinese Ghost Story - Movie 3". Both of them can
be found 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 really major changes. I've added new elements
to the story to differentiate this from the movie as I felt that I didn't
really want to actually translate the movie into the Ranma Universe, but
rather base my story from it with the entire Ranma cast in mind.
For those who aren't familiar with the movie (s)�
* Some concepts that are important to this story.
Ghosts look and act pretty much like living people, until they finally
reveal their true form (their powers) The ghosts in this story can be as
physical (body) as they need/want to be.
Ghosts just like vampires cannot take the heat of the sun. But unlike
vampires that turn into dusts when hit, ghosts can never be reincarnated
again. The result being that they disappear as though they never really
existed.
Ghosts in the movie, can 'die' a second time. There are many ways to kill a
ghost, holy objects, spell chanting, killed by other ghosts and others. And
if they die as a ghost, they simply fade from existence.
If a ghost is wounded by a holy object/ghost they lose a portion of their
power (soul) and become paler as more wounds are received. To a point
wherein there power can no longer hold on to any physical form, and they
fade from existence. They can restore their power with rest and time as
well as heal their wounds.
The whole concept of reincarnation and everything behind this particular
belief is important to this story.
Finally, ghosts in the movie can devoir the souls of their victims by using
their tongues. Forcing it into their victim's mouth and down their throat.
And once inside, like a snake - their tongue would eat the victim's heart.
For me, this was particularly gross when I first saw this on film. I had to
change this for this fic; ghosts in this story can drink the essence of its
victim by kissing its victim, with the victim able to feel his life slowly
draining away or any other way of killing the victim.
Well that's about as much as I can tell you guys without revealing too
much�
First of all, in this chapter, I 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>:)
To tell you the truth, I'm writing the first movie by memory only, the
second movie assisted by an incomplete tape and the third movie with a
complete copy.
Anyway...
Please send all comments and flames/Mst's to: becknkal@addax.bc.ca
And or you could go and check out my younger sisters' web page for updates
of this series at:
The Anything Goes Ranma � Fanfic page
http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/temple/9371
Or you could go and check out the RAAC archives
Again, thanks!
** Acknowledgements
My 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 especially to my pre-readers from whom I drew some of my
strength to continue on when I felt like giving up. Finally 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 to you all my thanks.
** 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/preview of the next chapter, please proceed
at your own discretion.
S
P
O
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A brief preview of the 6th chapter of the ACGS series, "When there is no
peace in Heaven"
***
{The forest}
Ryouga confronts him master who absently looked at the ground in deep
thought. Ryouga paced around, scratching his bandaged arm.
"I'm going after them. With or without your consent."
"They're that important to you?"
"They are my friends."
His master sighed.
"I guess, no matter what I'll say, you'll still go. Am I correct�"
Ryouga just nods as his Master took a deep sigh of regret. He knew, even
before he asked the question. ["What is this world coming to?"]
***
{Shrine at the lake}
"Why can't we be together?"
"It just can never be."
"Why?"
"It just can never be.
Akane's says we can never be together.
"Our worlds are too far apart."
Ranma reaching out to her and they embrace.
***
{The demon's lair}
Ukyou's hovering in the center of the room. Head tilted to one side as her
arms dangled beside her in death like stillness. Silently spinning in the
air as her head slowly tilts upwards to stare in front of her as her slow
spinning came to a halt so that she stared blankly at the figure before
her. And Happosai smiles and laughs.
{End of Preview for the 6th Chapter of ACGS}
Next is the preview / Spoiler for ACGS � Movie 3
S
P
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L
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* A scene within the third movie of the ACGS series.
What is different from the first movie?
Ranma is a young monk in training.
Akane is the tragic ghost girl in this story.
Ryouga is a mercenary monk.
And the rest of the cast will be revealed in future chapters. J
The third movie is totally separate from the first two. This is the future
of the first two movies.
For costume description, Ranma and Akane look the same as they were
portrayed in ACGS CH 1- 5 but they don't certainly act the same.
The lines below I took from the movie itself, but I changed a few of the
lines so that it would be consistent with what I've already done with
previous chapters. Please note also that, this scene may change once I
actually start writing the first chapter of ACGS movie 3.
Any help, suggestions or comments about the following preview is
appreciated�
And with all of that said�the scene�
[Knock]
Going down to open the door.
Ranma: It's you
Akane: It's you again...
Ranma: What are you doing here?
Akane: If you don't go, how will I make a living...
Climbs up the stairs.
R: Darn! Let me rest for one night. Okay? The way you're living don't you
feel like a whore? Perhaps if you were human and making an honest living
but you're a ghost. Why a slut too?
Appears from the stairs.
Akane: Am I a slut? {Said in amusement as Ranma passes by her, she smiles
as he tried to avoid looking at her.}
Ranma: Anyone who would strip off a strangers pants is a slut...
Sitting down on the floor, peering through a hole.
Akane: What are you looking for?
Sitting beside him.
Ranma: The gold Buddha...
Akane: Ahh...
Ranma: I don't know where it -
Notices Akane beside him...
Akane: The gold Buddha -
Cutting off Akane as she spoke as he quickly backs away from her.
Ranma: Why are you sitting so close?" He accused as he pointed a finger at
her.
Akane also backs away, startled from his outburst.
Akane: I had enough fun last night! She said dejectedly in reply.
Thinking, a silence grows between them as the awkwardness of the situation
covered them both letting them retreat within themselves.
Akane: "It's only down there," she said as she leaned forward towards him
Ranma: Don't come so close to me! You think I don't want to? He said as he
backed away from her.
Akane sighs as she moves away
Ranma: [Ranma explains] � "I can't leave till the gold Buddha is found " as
he pointed at the hole where the statue fell in.
Akane: "I'll help you..."
Ranma: " The gold Buddha is very powerful..." he reminded " Aren't you
afraid? "
As if accusing him that's it's his fault for this whole mess, she replied�
Akane: " There's no other way. If you don't leave... I'll have to move out!
"
She said in annoyance as she got up, leaving him to ponder about her
answer.
Ranma: " You got a point...Hey! Let's go together! "He called out, reaching
out a hand to her as he got up and off the floor.
{Scene change - Down Stairs} Searching
Ranma: " Last night, you surprised me and it fell, I dropped the gold
Buddha somewhere here�"
Akane: " Ehh! Don't step on my clothes... If they fall off you'll say I was
stripping again... "
This she reminded to him...
Ranma: " Sorry... "
Akane: " Where is it? "
A little annoyed, Ranma walks a few meters away, bringing the candle in
front of him as he searched for the missing statue. He feels something at
his feet and looks down�
Ranma: " Ahh!!!!...Snakes! I forgot to say there're snakes here... " He
shouted as he backed away from them quickly and unknowingly.
Akane: " Where? " She asked as she got close to him, putting an arm around
his shoulder
Ranma: " Over there! " Ranma pointed, still oblivious to Akane's actions.
Akane: " Where? " She asked softly, as she placed a hand on his chest,
resting her cheek on his shoulders.
Ranma realizing their position - turns around to see her lips only
centimeters from his. He quickly moves away from her, placing a good meter
between and starts praying softly for forgiveness. Akane puts her hands to
her ears and forehead as she felt the pain of hearing the chanting.
Akane: " Ahhh! Stop it! My head hurts... "
Ranma stops praying as he looks at her curiously�
Ranma: " I was only praying softly... " He reasoned to her.
Akane annoyed by this, moves away and resumes looking for the statue�
Akane: " Go upstairs...You're only getting in the way, with you here I'll
never find it... "
Ranma rising to leave...
Akane: " Go on... "
Ranma: " You're maybe right {Lays the candle down} " Mind the snakes
though..."
Akane just waves him off as he left.
After travelling a few meters away from her. Ranma felt something crawling
at his feet. Looking down he sees the snakes.
Ranma: " Huh! Ahh! Snakes! Lots of snakes! " He shouted as he skipped
around and at the same time lost his footing making him tumble down a short
incline before finally rolling to a stop.
Something shiny caught his attention, as it lay there buried under the
bodies of several live snakes.
Ranma: "Ahh�Huh? ... The... the gold Buddha! ... I found it! " He shouted
over his head, elated.
Akane smiles deeply, as she flew over to him, landing on her stomach behind
him as she looked over his shoulder to peer at the golden Buddha lying only
a few meters away. Shining in the moonlight. Snakes covered the gold
Buddha.
Ranma: " Over there... " He pointed " Help me... there're many snakes. "
Akane smiles even more as she looked at him. Taking a breath of air, she
blew a cloud of smoke toward the poisonous vipers. Ah one by one, each
exploded at the touch of the smoke.
And as the sounds of the explosions died, beside the golden statue lay the
dead vipers. Akane just smiled at her work.
Ranma: " Huuhhh�I didn't tell you to kill them! " He said as he quickly
dashed over to the fallen statue. Akane just looks at him in mild
amusement.
Ranma picks up the 3 broken pieces and examines them under the moonlight.
Ranma: " How...How did this happen " he whispered in disbelief as he looked
at the three broken pieces that once used to be the golden Buddha. " What
will I say? Oh� what will I do? " And he began to contemplate on his
choices, limited as they were.
Akane looks at him, seeing him deep in thought, before suddenly screaming
out
Akane: " Aiyah!...aaaa...I've been bitten by a snake, it hurts... "
Ranma moves quickly beside her as she revealed her smooth silk leg, a viper
encircled her calf, with its fangs deeply embedded in her soft flesh. Blood
dripped from the wound.
Ranma quickly grabs the snake by the tail, struggling to toss it away. " I
don't want to kill you, go! " he said as lowered himself to kneel down and
face her.
Ranma: " Are you all right? " He asked, concern painted on his face.
Akane: " I've been poisoned. "
Ranma: " What shall we do? "{Akane quickly reveals more of her silky leg,
revealing it up to her smooth thigh.}
Akane: " Suck the venom out with your mouth... "
Ranma looks at her leg, trying to ignore the sensation he felt growing
within him as he contemplated on what to do.
Akane: " Aiyah! Please...quickly...I can feel the venom...I feel
faint...ahh... auhh�the pain� "
Taking a deep breath, Ranma lowered himself to suck on the wound.
***
Now that Ranma was sucking on her leg, Akane leaned back as she smiled
looking at him, head supported by her right arm. Amusement radiating from
her in waves.
Ranma looks up and swallows the blood as he spoke.
Ranma: " Is that all right? "
Disbelief, Akane couldn't believe he just did that...
Akane: " Ahh�Tha� That's fine...Thank you...she said softly. "
Ranma: " It's okay, anyway your wound isn't real... " Ranma sits up and
wipes his lips with his sleeve.
Akane: [A hand pointing at him] " Then why did you swallow the blood? "
Ranma: " To keep you happy, " shrugging the question off as he wiped away
the blood from his mouth...
Akane covers her mouth, she still couldn't believe how thickheaded he was
sometimes.
Akane: " The wound isn't real, but the venom is! "
Ranma realizes what the statement implied and is shocked followed by
worried on what he must do.
Ranma: " You're right! ... That means..."
Akane takes this chance to offer a solution
Akane: " I'll help you suck the venom out." This she offered as she leaned
forward.
Ranma backs away quickly, hand covering his mouth as he mumbled his reply
through the cloth.
Ranma: " No! That means mouth to mouth� "
Akane calmly takes his hand away as she moved forward again.
Akane: " You'll die once the venom takes effect...pretend I'm not a
woman... " This she said as she leaned forward towards him.
Ranma backs away again. This time covering his mouth with his left hand.
Ranma: " Then who are you? "
Akane: " Pretend I'm your master "
Akane took his hand away again and leaned forward, but once again, Ranma
back away.
Ranma: " He would never do this! " {Covers his mouth with his right hand.}
Akane pushes him down on the ground as she laid on top of him, suggesting
"...Pretend I'm your mother... "
Ranma: " Aiyah! " {Pushes her off to the side} " I've never seen my mother,
try someone else I've seen...he offered. "
Akane thinks for a minute and looks at the place. She sees a statue and
offers it to him. " How about him? "
Ranma: " Him? "
Ranma turns around to see a huge charred wooden figure, its eyes still
painted and its mouth holding fangs with a wide grin.
Ranma becomes thoughtful, as he considered, finally...
Ranma: " Okay... "
Akane smiles as Ranma lay back down. Slowly she leaned forward, placing her
body on top of his. Their faces only inches apart as Akane slowly lowered
her lips down.
Ranma stiffened as he felt her lips touch against his, feeling so many
conflicting emotions well up inside him as their lips pressed. Yet slowly
the sensations began to register in his mind as his hand slowly released
its grip on his robe and journeyed up to hold her hand.
Both of their eyes slowly opened as each felt the warmth of the other, and
slowly Ranma retracted his hand, realizing it and bringing it to his side.
Akane felt this, and pressed her lips even more. Slowly, she used her power
to probe him, feeling him as her power touched his soul. Ranma felt it and
tried to struggle
Ranma: " I...I... "
Akane hesitates and lets go as they parted their kiss.
Ranma: " What are you doing?" He asked in between gasps for air.
Akane: " Sucking the venom� "
Ranma pushes her away.
Ranma: " What were you doing? " Ranma demanded, feeling wary at the same
time.
Akane: " Using my power� " She said trying to appear innocent.
Ranma: " Why use you're power? " Seeing no point to it.
Akane: " To suck out he venom! There's still some left in you... "
Ranma: " Really? " He felt uneasy.
Akane sighed as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. " Is you're
heart beating rapidly? "
Ranma: " Yes... "
Akane: " Does your whole body feel hot? "
Ranma: "Yes... "
Akane: " Do you feel sweaty? Your head aching? "
Ranma: "Yes... "
Akane: " Aiyah!... That's the effect of the venom. We have to carry on... "
Ranma: {Backing away} " I'd rather die! "
Akane: "Ahh! Don't die here...or you'll become one of us. "
Ranma Thinking
Akane just looks at him, considering.
Ranma: " Okay...come on " (looking defeated)
Akane smiles deeply, she leans forward.
Ranma: " Wait! " He shouted, their lips only centimeters apart.
Ranma turns to look at the statue again, breathing heavily before he
slapped his cheeks. " Haaahhhh! " He blew out his breath, before pouting
his lips. All the while Akane laughed at him from the background.
Akane: " Are you ready? " Biting her lower lip, as she looked at him nod
his head.
Ranma: " Uh huh! " He breathed his neck rigid and eyes fixed on the statue.
Akane kisses him lightly on the lips before parting, laughing, and trying
to contain her giggles behind a clothed sleeve. Ranma just looks at her a
bit confused.
Ranma: " Ahh...why didn't you use your power? "
Akane: (Laughing) " There's no venom " � " I was lying! " And her laughter
resumed after seeing his shocked expression, though as she might trying to
cover it behind her sleeve.
Ranma: " Wahh! " (Realizing the joke) " How could you deceive an honest man
" (Getting up as Akane laughs on) Walking to the bottom of the stairs then
pacing.
R: It's because of you I dropped the gold Buddha! Look at how I treat you,
is this my thanks? I'm a monk, I have rules to follow...You keep on
seducing me! You're trouble. (Akane just laughs as he started to go up the
steps.)
Ranma looking up sees Akane at the top flight.
Akane: " Really? "
Akane chases him down the stairs as she said. " From what you say, isn't it
a bore being a monk? You can't do what every man wants to do? (Pushes him
up) Don't you feel deprived being a monk?
Ranma: " Sitting down before a table, setting the pieces of the broken
statue on top of it. Deprived? I never had anything to lose... "
Trying to assemble the broken pieces
Ranma: " The priority is to fix the Buddha...so that when Master comes
back...we can leave. "
Sitting down a few meters away from him, smiling as she flicked a finger
lighting the candle before him. Ranma startled, drops the pieces on the
table, he gives a look at Akane.
Ranma: " Don't set you're clothes on fire again. " (Akane leans back and
sighs deeply as she began to comb back her long black hair.)
Akane: " Why are you a monk, if it's such hard work? "
Ranma: " The first person I set my eyes on was my Master...My first clothes
were monks robes...what else could I be except a monk...Do I have a choice?
"
Akane: " You're grown up now, you can choose... "
Ranma: (Trying to arrange the statue) " I've been with Master for years.
He's family...Why'd my parents leave me in a monastery... "
(He sighs, as he thought of the past)
Ranma: " I'd like to know what my parents look like...so that if I ever
meet them - (looks down a the ground) I could avoid them. " (Looking at the
Buddha, as he slowly took his hands away, whispering slightly.) " Don't
fall off...Don't fall off... "
Akane stands and leans a hand on the wall, standing a few meters away from
him.
Akane: " You're life's better than mine was...at least you have a master...
"
Ranma looks at her confused, and a bit concerned, this was one side of her
that he'd never seen before, till now...
Ranma: " Were you an orphan too? "
Akane looks away, finding the ground much more interesting� Sadness paints
her face, a face filled with longing for something that could never be�
Akane: " No. I was sold as soon as I was born...whoever bought me became my
parents. Finally a rich man took me in as his 2nd wife... "(Holding back
the tears as she remembered her past. Listening to her own voice as it
retold her life story.) " I was murdered by his mistress, then buried
here... " (A sad smile comes over her face as she turned to look back at
Ranma, still staring at her, a sadness that she could see.)
Akane: " That's the first time I've told this story. I was lying� "
She laughed, though it held no mirth only sadness as she tried to cover her
mouth and tears.
Ranma: " I'm glad it's a lie...If it were true, it would have been tragic.
So in comparison, you're free now...not being sold again and again... "
Ranma: " Pity, you're a ghost. We could've been friends... "
Akane looks at him curiously, as if seeing him for the first time. A small
smile crept up on her face as she glided toward him and sat beside him, a
few feet away.
Akane: " Aren't we friends now? "
Ranma didn't know what to say, as he looked at the ground, not daring to
face her.
Akane leaned close to him.
Akane: " Little monk, could you get close to anyone else? "
Ranma takes a chance to steal a glance, seeing her so close, he stammered
in his reply,
Ranma: " I don't know� " He said in a rush.
Akane still leaning close to him.
Akane: " Do you think I'm beautiful? "
Ranma: Stealing yet another glance. He quickly presents his back to her. "
I don't know."
Akane smiles as she returned to a proper seat and began to arrange her hair
with her comb.
<Chink><Chink><Chink>
Ranma: " Huhh? "
Looks out the window...
~ End of preview / Spoiler.
Well that's it for this chapter. Again, thank you for your support. And as
always, please check out my sister's web page for the latest revisions as
well as art for this series.