********

(Scene: Amigi Diatonobi's lab, where the demented sorcerer stands in the 
centre of a pentagram, waving his hands in complex patterns and mumbling 
arcane phrases.  Presently, he appears to finish and allows his arms to 
fall.  Slowly he walks out of the circle, gestures absently, and sinks 
into the chair that obligingly appears.)

Amigi: I have let my skills slip too much.  (frowns) I should have 
secured the girl by now, the one who so casually wields the true power 
of Ginkiri!  (sighs) The Circle grows annoyed with me, and my own 
servants are becoming less useful... (stands up) Very well then.  I tire 
of awaiting the fools to come to me.  I shall take matters into my own 
hands!

	********

(Back at the fight, Mousse is exchanging blows with Tzubi while Ranma 
looks for an opening.  Suddenly, Tzubi slides below a dozen chains and 
calmly slashes into Mousse's chest, sending the Chinese boy hurtling 
away.)

Ranma: Mousse!

Mousse: Ugh...

Tzubi: He'll survive.  I used the flat, for now.

Ranma: What's gotten into you?

Tzubi: Nothing.  Any true battle is to the death, Saotome.  That is a 
truth I have already known.

Ranma: Damn it!

Shampoo: Great grandmother...'Zubi is going all out!

Cologne: Yes, he is.

Tzubi: (dashes at Ranma) HI-KATANA KEN!  (he leaps, bringing his swords 
down so fast the friction causes them to erupt in flame)

Ranma: (dodges sideways) Fine.  (Ranma lashes out with a flurry of 
blows; Tzubi falls back to avoid the attack) Have it your w...

Tzubi: (slashes, sending Ranma backflipping away) Shut up.  
(Mousse pulls himself to his feet, and with a snarl sends a hail of 
daggers at Tzubi.  The swordsman spins his wakazashi, sending all the 
projectiles clattering to the ground, but Ranma uses the distraction to 
leap in and land a kick to Tzubi's shoulder.  He flows with it, slashing 
at Ranma, but his target flips away just in time...until a chain 
entangles his ankles.  Mousse grins and yanks the chain, pulling Ranma 
to the ground.  Unfortunately, he doesn't notice Tzubi's foot until it 
connects.)

Tzubi: (sheathes both swords) This is between Ranma and me.  You have 
interfered for the last time!
(Ranma pulls himself around and with a growl snaps the chain around his 
foot.  Meanwhile, Tzubi glares at Mousse, and suddenly the air around 
him...ripples.)

Ranma: [His chi is being focused!  What is he up to?]

Tzubi: (shifts his stance) You have Ranma to thank for this attack, 
Mousse!

Mousse: (draws back) [Be ready for anything...]

Tzubi: KAMIKAZE NO ZAN!
(Tzubi draws and...Mousse cries out as he is flung back by an invisible 
force.  He spins back, trying to reorient himself, only to see Tzubi has 
leaped out to intercept him.)

Tzubi: Goodbye Mousse...ZANJI SHINJINKEN-RYO!
(Then there is only a blur as the flashing whirl of Tzubi's blades 
obscure Mousse from view.  He pulls away just before hitting the ground 
and lands several feet away as Mousse's unconscious form hits the 
ground, clothes shredded and body covered with lacerations.)

Ranma: Did you have to be so nasty?

Tzubi: (turns, sheathing his swords) He's alive, which is better than I 
might leave you.  Surrender now and I won't have to hurt you.

Tarou: Better take the chance now, fem-boy!

Ranma: (grits teeth) Shut up, Pantyhose.  (to Tzubi) No way!

Tzubi: So be it.

Cologne: This grows serious.
(The first move goes to Tzubi, a lightning-fast stab at the face 
followed by a crossways cut.  Ranma angles away, slapping the blade down 
by the flat.  A moment later he is on the offensive with a blistering 
array of complex katas and maneuvers which force Tzubi back.  Realizing 
the impossibility of countering from his current position, Tzubi leaps 
away, landing several feet from Ranma.  His opponent closes, feet 
sliding along the ground but never quite leaving it; Tzubi counters by 
spinning sideways and lashing out with his wakazashi.  Ranma ducks under 
the blow and unloads a solid fist right into Tzubi's stomach.  He 
grunts, staggering back...and then his katana falls and catches Ranma at 
the base of the neck.  Ranma gives a strangled cry and collapses 
bonelessly in front of Tzubi.)

Akane: RANMA!

Ukyou: Oh god, Ranchan!

Tarou: (crossed arms) ...

Ranma: (groan) Itte... (pulls himself, shakily, to his knees)

Tzubi: (examining his sword) Hmm...hit at too much of an angle.  (looks 
at Ranma) You are lucky.  That should have cut your head off.

Ranma: ...

Nabiki: (blinks)

Tarou: Fem-boy's in trouble. [But I still need him alive...for the 
moment.]

Ranma: (getting to his feet) You...you're really serious!

Tzubi: And you are not.  That is why I shall win.
(Without another word Ranma leaps, performs a midair flip and kicks out 
with both feet.  Tzubi reacts quicker than thought, a stagger-step back 
while slashing upwards.  A red line traces across Ranma's shin...and he 
collides with his opponent, taking them both to the ground.  Ranma 
kippups and lashes out with a kick.  Tzubi takes it in the ribs, but 
sweeps his arm and takes out Ranma's injured leg; he rolls with the blow 
and handsprings back to his feet.  However, by this time Tzubi is 
standing.  He moves in before his foe can recover, blades flashing 
outward in a series of lethal cuts and thrusts too fast for the naked 
eye to follow.  Ranma is pressed back, dodging from foot to foot in an 
ever-more-desperate defence.  Suddenly, a chain encircles Tzubi's waist, 
yanking him back.  With a sigh of relief, Ranma watches as Tzubi falls 
to the ground.  This does not last long, however.  There is a snarl and 
then dozens of flashes swirl around Tzubi as he rises to his feet; the 
chain falls to the earth like silver rain.)

Mousse: (grinning despite his massive injuries) You don't get rid of me 
that easily!

Tzubi: (eyes narrow) Shine.
(He flies across the ground towards Mousse, swords drawn back for a 
lethal blow...)

Ranma: (planting a foot in Tzubi's back) Not likely!
(Tzubi falls on his face with a grunt, but quickly lurches to the side, 
avoiding a mace dropped from Mousse's sleeve.)

Mousse: You can't dodge forever!
(Mousse pulls back his arms, then snaps them forward with a flourish, 
allowing a hail of chained and projectile weaponry to burst forth.  
Tzubi grimaces and begins to roll rapidly away, leaving a virtual garden 
of weapons in his wake.  Pushing his hands under him as he twists, he 
bounces smoothly to his feet, brandishing his daisho.  Mousse ceases the 
attack a moment later as he notices Tzubi is now calmly deflecting all 
the projectiles.  Meanwhile, Ranma is circling behind Tzubi again, and 
takes advantage of the momentary distraction to rush forward.  The 
swordsman's eyes glint dangerously and he steps forward, pivoting on his 
heel to slash at Ranma.  Ranma yelps and backpeddles, the tip of the 
katana tracing a line in the air inches from his neck.)

Akane: (clenches fist) Ranma...

Tarou: It's not like fem-boy would have -missed- it...

Ukyou: Jerk! (she pulls out her battle spatula and tries to whack Tarou 
upside the head...emphasis on tries)

Tarou: (holding the haft of the weapon in an iron grip) Don't... (he 
turns to look at her, eyes flat and mouth set in a thin line) Don't 
think I won't...
(Ukyou glares at him for a moment, but then relaxes her hold on her 
weapon.  Tarou releases it, then turns back to the fight.  Meanwhile, 
positions on the field have reversed once again.  Mousse has spun on 
Ranma and unloaded with a flurry of moves that forced Ranma to the 
defensive.  Tzubi has backed off and is letting them go at it, taking 
the chance to recover.)

Ranma: (furiously dodging) Mousse!  (ducks under an attack and sweeps; 
Mousse somersaults away as the blow knocks him backward) Listen to me!

Mousse: (lands gracefully) I know what you're going to say!  (with a cry 
he launches a spear at Ranma, who sidesteps) The answer is no!

Ranma: But Tzubi is out of his mind! (the swordsman glowers)

Tarou: At least he has one!

Ranma: Will-you-SHUT-UP! (barely dodges a rain of daggers) Mousse, he's 
out for blood, but he can't beat both of us.

Mousse: (pulls back, one leg drawn up) You don't understand...
(There is a moment of silence, and then Ranma's eyes narrow.)

Ranma: Yes, I do.
(He sprints forward, bowing under Mousse's defence and cupping his 
hands.)

Ranma: KACHUU BISHA TAKAKEN!!!

Mousse: (blanches) Not again...
(A flurry of yellow spheres blossoms around Mousse, leaving glowing 
afterimages that obscure the Chinese fighter from view.  Barely a second 
passes before Mousse flies out from the blasts and skids along the 
ground, sending a wave of grit in his wake.  The crowd parts hastily, 
allowing him to collide head-first with the concrete wall.)

Tarou: (winces) Man, hit with something so hard...

Ukyou: Painful.  (nods)

Tarou: Poor wall.

Ukyou: (sweatdrop)
(Ranma steps back, a slowly rising plume of smoke coming from his hands 
and feet having dug small trenches from the recoil.  Turning, he sees 
Tzubi standing not two feet away with daisho sheathed, a ripple of hot 
air flowing around him.)

Ranma: Oh...

Tzubi: KAMIKAZE NO ZAN!
(His swords whip from their sheaths, and Ranma finds himself hurled 
bodily into the air.  Tzubi launches himself in pursuit, arcing into 
attack position.)

Ranma: [Damn!  Off-balance...but this is MY element!]

Tzubi: This ends here...ULTIMATE TECHNIQUE ZANJI-SHINJINKEN-RYO!
(Tzubi twists and begins to spin in midair, soon overtaking his 
opponent...)

Ranma: (pushing palms into the flurry of blades) MOKO TAKABISHA!
(An explosion of yellow light, a dual scream of pain and a rain of tiny 
red droplets later both combatants plow into the ground.  A flash of 
silver indicates the landing of Tzubi's blades several metres from his 
prone form; the katana's blade buried halfway to the grip.  After a 
moment, Tzubi groans and pulls himself to his feet, shaking his head to 
clear the cobwebs.  Across from him, Ranma hisses in pain but smoothly 
kippups into a combat stance...and then notices that he is bleeding 
heavily from several deep gashes in his forearms and hands.)

Ranma: Damn...I have to finish this soon...

Tzubi: (reaches down and pulls off his belt) Prepare to die, Saotome.  
(with a flick of his wrist the cloth snaps straight as a razor; he 
smiles) It appears I've disarmed you.

Ranma: [He really has me at a disadvantage...I'm almost out of tricks.]
(Tzubi closes rapidly, belt-sword darting in and out like a viper.  
Ranma gives ground for a moment, but then grins and dances into the 
attack, throwing Tzubi off his stride.  The swordsman recovers quickly 
however, and manages to leap back as the kick rams into his chest.  With 
a snarl, he lashes out at Ranma, too fast for his opponent to back up.  
But Ranma raises his arm to block...and there is a flash of yellow light 
as Tzubi's cotton blade is harmlessly deflected.)

Ranma: (grins) Hah!  Useful trick, ne?

Tzubi: (backs up and begins to circle) Hmm...you hold a low-intensity 
chi in your hands, and release it to block my blows.  Impressive, but 
futile.  (looks pointedly at Ranma's hands) A defensive ploy, and all I 
need to do is wait.
(Tarou, who has observed all this with a scowl, begins to move forward, 
but stops as Cologne easily slides in front of him.)

Cologne: Noone interferes.

Tarou: (steps back; eyes narrow) Just wanted a better view, old hag.

Cologne: (smiles grimly) Be my guest, but no more.  This fight must be 
decided, one way or the other.
(Ranma grimaces and moves in, ignoring his injuries and launching a 
series of open-hand strikes.  Tzubi blocks each one, a flare of yellow 
light marking each connection between belt and flesh.  Then he 
sidesteps, bringing his blade around...)

Tzubi: HI KATANA KEN!
(The belt erupts in flames as he swings it at the startled Ranma.  He 
blocks and the familiar light flares...but then he falls back, cursing.)

Ranma: (clutching a burn on his hand) Damn...cut through my defence...

Tzubi: (brandishing the still-flaming weapon) In the end, Ranma, none of 
your cheap tricks will save you.

Ranma: That belt won't burn forever.

Tzubi: (steps into the attack, forcing Ranma to dodge wildly to avoid 
him) It will burn long enough.  Long enough to prove I am the better 
man!  (his face twists into a snarl and Ranma yelps as the burning 
weapon tags his ribs) Long enough to prove that honour and discipline 
defeats dishonour and cowardice!  (a furious blitzkrieg of blows strikes 
Ranma three times, sending him to his knees) Long enough to prove that 
order defeats chaos!  Now DIE!

Ranma: Not likely!  (he dodges the downward strike at the last second 
and rolls to his feet) I'm not about to die to prove some stupid thing 
that nobody cares about!  (kicks at Tzubi, who dodges easily)

Tzubi: I CARE!!!  (he launches himself forward with a series of vicious 
cuts and thrusts)

Ranma: (smiles as he dodges) Honour is a pointless system of rules 
designed to weaken the strong.

Tzubi: LIAR! 
(He steps up his assault, landing a few stinging blows on Ranma's arms 
and chest.)

Ranma(coldly): Honour only makes you weak, only limits your true 
strength.  Honour will only make you lose in the end.

Tzubi: DIE! (he steps back and strikes, a focused blow aimed at Ranma's 
neck)

Ranma: HIRYUU SHOTEN HA! (and the wind suddenly wails like the howl of a 
banshee)

Tarou: He's won.  (crosses arms) He's improving.
(The funnel of heaven's fury dies down as swiftly as it formed, leaving 
Ranma in a crater of earth scoured clear, fist extended upward.  He 
remains still, and shortly thereafter the limp form of Tzubi falls to 
the ground with a soft thump.)

Cologne: It's over.  Ranma wins.
(Ranma nods slowly, and then falls to the ground.)

	********

(Scene: Tofu's clinic.  Ranma wakes up, to find himself alone, lying on 
the bed.  Sitting up, he looks down at his hands, wrapped tightly in 
bandages, and notes his burns have already begun healing smoothly.  
Turning, he looks in the mirror...and sees Senchi staring back at him.)

Ranma: Come to mock me?

Senchi: [You should have killed him.]

Ranma: I won't do that.  Ever.

Senchi: [Never make promises you can't keep.]
(The door opens and in walks Tofu, who smiles as he sees his 
all-too-frequent patient up and about.)

Tofu: You're a remarkable young man, Ranma.  (frowns) But you're also 
very lucky.  You shouldn't take risks like that.  Next time, give up if 
your injuries are that severe.

Ranma: (sighs) I don't always have that choice.  So, how is everyone?

Tofu: (laughs) You've only been out for a few hours.  Akane is waiting 
outside, but everyone else went home when they found out you were 
alright.

Ranma: What about Mousse...and Tzubi?

Tofu: Mousse had a mild concussion, but was otherwise okay.  Cologne 
signed him out.  Tzubi is in the next room, still unconscious.

Ranma: (rises to his feet) Right.  I think I want to go home now.

Tofu: (nods) But I insist you take it -easy- for a few days.

Ranma: (grins) You know, doc, I think I'll take you up on that for once.

	********

(Scene: the Nekohanten.  Shampoo sits at an empty table, her eyes 
haunted.  Cologne pogos up behind her.)

Cologne: What's the matter, child?  I thought that this was what you 
wanted.

Shampoo: Shampoo...no know.  (shakes head) It seem so easy now... 
(softly) Just like before.

Cologne: There is no choice now, Shampoo.  There is no going back.

Shampoo: But...was it right?

Cologne: It was the law.  It IS the law.

Shampoo: It...I understand.  Shampoo just need time.

Cologne: You don't have time now.  This was your decision; live with it.

Shampoo(almost imperceptible): But it hurt so much...

Cologne: We all grow up sometime.  Some grow up too late.
(She moves away, leaving Shampoo alone with her thoughts.)

	********

(Scene: another room in Tofu's clinic.  Tzubi lies on the examining 
table, breathing slowly.  Abruptly, his eyes snap open and he looks 
around.  Alone.  He sits up and looks down at himself.  Time passes, and 
nothing moves save for the clock on the wall.  After an indeterminate 
length of time he sighs, closing his eyes.    Standing up somewhat 
stiffly, he walks to the door and looks out.  Seeing noone outside, he 
closes the door and walks back to the bed.  Alone.  He sits back and 
stares at the wall, face devoid of emotion.  Then his eyes close and a 
tear rolls down his cheek.)


End.



Author's notes...

Epsilon: Whew.  Remind me NEVER to complain about how long it takes 
Jordan to get out the next book of the Wheel of Time.

Blade: (snort) Perhaps not, but I feel no such compunctions about 
complaining about how what utter -crap- the latest book was...

Epsilon: Well, naturally not.  Still, maybe the next one will be 
better...

Blade: It had better be.  And speaking of which-although we weren't-how 
much you wanna bet the comments just made draw more C&C than the actual 
fanfic?

Epsilon: (flat look) Subtle as always, eh, Blade?

Blade: One does what one must.  Oh, and speaking of, I'd just like to 
remind all the nice people out there that Epsi IS a real person, and he 
really -does- help write this series.

Epsilon: "Help"?

Blade: So as much as its gratifying to hear about "my" series, it's 
starting to get on Epsi's nerves to be regarded as a -complete- 
nonentity.  

Epsilon: Indeed.  In any case, onto more pertinent matters...it took 
awhile, but finally some serious development for Tzubi!  Hopefully, this 
chapter should have dispelled any lingering myths about him being either 
a self-insert or a "perfect" character.

Blade: Just lack of familiarity.  Hey, even Tarou looked perfect until 
you got to know him better, and then he was revealed to simply be 
incredibly great. ^_^

Epsilon: 9_9

Blade: Anyway, for all you Senchi fans out there-there must be at least 
a couple of you-don't be put off by the lack of your favourite 
psychopathic split personality.  Next chapter will reveal more than you 
may wish to know about her.

Epsilon: Also, stay tuned for a pivotal moment in one relationship you 
won't want to miss.

Blade: Or maybe you do, but you won't know until you read it, will you?  
And, of course, they can't read it until you write it, sooooo...

Epsilon: Alright already!  Geez...I have classes, you know.  Be lucky I 
still have time to write at all.

Blade: And I have a baby daughter, you know, but -I- still find time to 
bug you.  Take a lesson from my dedication.

Epsilon: (facepalm)

Blade: Anyway, join in next time for "Journey to the Centre of Ranma's 
Mind"!  (And no, I am NOT going to put in a Tarou comment here.)

Handy Special Move Guide:

Kamikaze no Zan - Slash of the Divine Wind



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