* Authors Notes:

This is an ALTERNATE universe, NEW TIMELINE fic, between the series Ranma
1/2 and Tenchi Muyo. It crosses the boundaries between light and darkness
and then goes back again. Pictures for this fic will be posted on my
sister's web page soon. ^_^ And of course, I would like to thank my
pre-readers for all the help they've done. I wouldn't have been able to
finish this without them.

This is just a rough draft...


Falling for an Angel
By Kahlil Noriega

* Standard disclaimer: 
All rights belong to whoever owns them. I don't own any of these characters
and make no claim to do so.

Chapter 3 - Vassals of Heaven and Hell


Darkness

Water drop...

The ripples spreading out as voices can be heard in the emptiness...

A slightly glowing cave, the light emanating from a deep circular pool,
though no one seemed to be around though two distinct voices can be heard
in the darkness of the cave. 

A man's voice, trying to convince the someone, he offers her, her freedom,
and a chance to reek vengeance on her enemies. 

A woman's voice replies, soft and hesitating if not a bit fearful, pain can
be heard as she spoke with a touch of longing and hope in between. She is
reluctant to accept and a bit angry as well, clearly she knew who this man
was, and by all means tried to discourage him, fearful of giving her trust.

The man insists though as the woman listens, considering as they talk some
more...

The woman persists in her beliefs and denies his accusations, though she
showed that her doubts were weakening as her struggles lessened as she
began to ponder his words, giving leeway as he spoke as the man continued
his barrage of rationalizations.

The woman only listened in silence, before finally...  

"I don't know..." the woman's voice whispered. A non-committal reply. And
yet, the man smiled, he knew she'd decided already...

A water drop fell again, rippling in the darkness... 

***

Ranko cradled Tenchi's head on her lap, content rolled off her in waves as
she played with his hair as she smiled down looking at him. Closing her
eyes, she let her hands graze his chest and face, as he snuggled deeper
within the folds of her dress with her wings stretched out on either side
of him, sheltering him from unseen storm...  

Soft mist swirled around the circular image it contained, as light 

A tall lean figure stood before this viewing circle, he was clearly annoyed
and agitated as he watched the girl in the circle, enjoy herself in the
company of this human. Bare chest, he wore a gold medallion over his chest.
Golden bands covered his crossed forearms on his chest as a thick gold belt
held up his loose tan pants with matching shoes. His pigtail was tied
loosely behind his back, running in between his silver and white wings. He
was not happy at all. 

A voice called out from behind him; its tone mocked him as the man who said
it leaned on one of the tall white pillars that lined the viewing circle. 
The angel wore similar clothing as the man viewing the circle, though where
his band were golden, the other preferred black bands and a black thick
belt. He always had a feral look to him, maybe it was his fangs that peeked
out from the sides of his mouth, or how the gold and black headband he wore
made him look rugged and tough. 

Nevertheless, the angel viewing the circle looked back on the other. Though
his sudden appearance did anger him more as much as his mocking gesture
before he turns his eyes again at the viewing circle floating in front of
him like he were to view an image through a window. He didn't like what he
saw at all.

"She seems to be enjoying herself, doesn't she..." The angel leaning on the
pillar called, as the other grimaced, ignoring him.

"The way she seems to like- " 

The angel leaning on he pillar paused as the other angel stared daggers at
him, he shrugged it off as he continued...

"...this man." 

The angel leaning on the pillars stood up straight, and walked over to the
other angel who returned his eyes again to viewing the circle. 

Standing beside him, he swallowed his own desire as he looked up at the
circle before stealing a brief glance at his friend. The other didn't turn
to look at him, ignoring him completely. 

"It is unfortunate isn't it. One of our kind falling for a lowly human..."

The other stared daggers at the man Ranko cradled on her lap, ignoring the
comment the angel beside him spoke as they both watched the events taking
place within the circle.  He wasn't happy at all...

"So what are you going to do? Oh big brother...?" The angel with the black
head band mockingly asked as he waited for the other's reaction. He was
ignored. 

The other thought about the question for a while as he looked down at the
swirling white mists beneath his feet then turned around.  

His eyes held determination as he walked out of the alcove of pillars that
lined the viewing circle, but paused at its edge not turning around as he
spoke... 

"I'll get her back..." he stated blankly, cold determination in his voice
as he spoke.

"Of course you will..." the other replied as he watched the other go.
Before he turned his own eyes away and stared at the ground thinking... 

"But at what price..." he sadly whispered as he turned his eyes up at the
floating circle, looking at the image within...

And he smiled, seeing her smile as his eyes glazed slightly as he began to
remember, both the good and the bad...

***

Ranko sat smiling as she played with Tenchi's hair. Everything seemed so
right, could he finally be the one? Staring down at his face, so peaceful
and dreamlike she couldn't help but smile even more. Maybe he could be the
one, she thought as the storm outside began to gather its strength again...

***

Somewhere else, in the city...

A girl is running in the empty and dark streets, she is holding her bag
over her head, the only piece she had to shield her from the rain.
Dark-blue blouse and knee length matching skirt, purple hair tied at the
back in such a way as forming two tails that trailed behind her as she ran.


She stopped underneath the canvas top of a closed shop and sighed as placed
her bag down on the floor and wiped herself dry of a piece of white cloth.

"Why did it have to rain..."Aeka thought sadly, pouting her lips as she
leaned back on the wall of the closed shop. 

School break was going to end soon, she thought. Maybe she could be with
Tenchi then, once classes begin that is; and she smiled as the thought of
being together with him made her blush. Controlling her emotions and her
thoughts of the future, she relaxed as she leaned back on the wall,
enjoying the feel of the cool wind as she stood there underneath the
shelter of a canvas, watching and waiting as the rain continued to pour on
the streets... 

~ To be continued...    


* End notes:

Sorry if this is late. Schools just a killer this time of year. Better late
than never I guess. ^_^  

I'm sorry as well if this is a little short, I'm just setting things up
still. Introducing the main characters first before getting to the actual
plot of the story.

Well I hope you like the story so far. And if there's anything you got to
say about this fic, please tell me. Even a short reply would be nice. In
fact, I implore you to do so. Please send all C&C, MST or even flames to
the address below or to the FFML if you feel bold enough to do so.

Becknkal@addax.bc.ca

And if you're curious as to what other stories I've done. Please don't
hesitate to visit my sister's web page at:

The anything goes Ranma 1/2 fanfic page
http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/temple/9371

Anyway, that's that for my rant. ^_^

Sincerely
~ Kahlil Noriega ~