FFIRC Presents....

Heart's Desire


Series Authors:

Ken Arromdee            Donny Cheng             TJ Hamilton
Sean Hayden             Ronny Hedin             Gary Kleppe
Thomas Schmidt          David Tatum             Ethan Tsai


Ranma 1/2 and all characters and backstory belong to Rumiko Takahashi


Chapter 11: ?????
The Final Wish


	Yes, it was interesting to say the least.  Interesting having
the ultimate power, having the ultimate wish, and having the most
preeminent fiancee in the known universe.  Kodachi was quite positive on
the last fact, having made it so herself.  It dramatically improved her
lifestyle.  Life had gone from dull and uninteresting to pandering and
complete.  Sex three times a day -  five on Sundays - and the occasional
lustful groping in the hallways, kitchen and every other room in the
house made for a sumptuous lifestyle. Coupling it with exotic servants,
an endless supply of the epitome in culinary art, and a little more than
dabbling in sex-related practices made it the ultimate lifestyle.

	And Kodachi was getting very bored of it.  Terribly bored of it.
It'd been two weeks since she'd gained her powers, a week and a half
since she'd conquered Japan, and precisely nine days since she made
herself present throughout the minds of those around her as the supreme
power anything/person/object would ever be graced by.  Now everything
seemed like drivel.  Absolute drivel and not worth the while of the most
awesome power created since - well, ever.  At least, she liked to think
so, and whatever she liked, she got now.  Of course, there were a few
that had objected initially, but they disappeared faster than a fart in
a hurricane.

	"Ah, my darling, Ranma-sama.  What would I ever do without you?"
Kodachi cooed to the zombie-like man in the chair facing her.

	There was the barest twitch of his eyebrow, but Kodachi didn't
notice. She hungrily took in the picture of Ranma, clad only in a red
kimono with black roses printed on it.  It made a fire ignite deep
within her body.  She could feel the slightest tingling sensation
between her legs.

	"Is there something wrong, Ranma-sama?" Kodachi asked lazily.

	"No.  Nothing at all," he mumbled.  

	"You're lying aren't you?" she teased.

	The ex-gymnast purred softly and slowly undid the silk obi that
held her kimono in place.  As she slowly made her way from her seat to
Ranma's chair, she purposely drew each motion out like a cat, stretching
and slipping out of the black, silk kimono.  She wrapped her arms and
legs around Ranma, grinding her pelvis and crotch into his, moaning
softly.

	"Do you remember what the punishment for lying is, Ranma
darling?" she hissed.

	Ranma didn't move.  Kodachi smiled and took her time 'punishing'
him.  When it was all over, Ranma simply curled up into a ball and
cried. Kodachi looked upon him with disdain.  And something snapped.  A
twitch of the subconscious brought Ranma out of his weeping.  They did
it all over again.  It was fun for a while, but his lifeless eyes and
controlled actions made him too close to the marionette she didn't want
him to be; still, the physical pleasure was too great.  Minutes later,
he was satisfying her every need as a single tear streaked Kodachi's
cheek.

	*Why can't he tell me the truth, that he loves me?* she cried to
herself.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	From the beginning it was difficult - no, more than difficult.
The endless physical rape and plying of his feelings distanced Ranma
more and more from his own body.  Even the help from Akane didn't work
against the growing blackness in the back of his mind.  If anything it
only made it worse.  The retreat from the physical pain could only do
him so much good, and it didn't help that while his body enjoyed the
sensations, his mind wanted to shake off the dirty feelings he had -
only it couldn't.  They would always be there.  The only relief he felt
was when he couldn't feel his body - that soiled physical shell his
mental self had learned to shed very quickly.

	That was the biggest problem.  It was starting to do it too
quickly - and Ranma knew it, but he couldn't help it.  It was already
too much to bear to try to pretend he liked her, that he was under her
spell, and that he would die for her.  Trying to tolerate anything
physical put him over the edge.  That was it, plain and simple, and very
direct.

	As Kodachi made her move towards him once more, Ranma's mind
reeled. Kodachi had released him from physical slavery, but he didn't
know how much longer he could keep up the charade; and for once in his
life, he was scared of Kodachi - truly scared beyond his imagination.
There was even the intense feeling of helplessness.  Ranma desperately
needed someone to rescue him.  His mind couldn't take much more
punishment.  He didn't care much about his body anymore.

	Kodachi was saying something.  Ranma nodded slowly.  He gulped
audibly.  His mind opened the mental escape hatch.  Akane was already
there, trying to soothe him, and ease the feelings of pain and shock.
It wasn't a new thing, particularly since Ranma thought that Kodachi
made it her goal to ravage his body as many times as possible during the
day.  He hated it mostly because his body responded.  There wasn't
anything remotely attractive about Kodachi in his mind, but his body
couldn't help but exercise one of the many functions it'd been
programmed to do since birth.  Ranma knew she was taking the natural to
an unhealthy extreme.  Ranma's mind closed in on itself as she started
her unhealthy repertoire, and in no time he felt nothing again. The only
thing that mattered was Akane, and the comfort she gave him through
their shared link.  If only it could be Akane instead of Kodachi.  If
only.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	"So," Nabiki said. "What's the plan?"

	The combined Tendo and Saotome clan, along with Ukyo, Ryoga, and
Tatewaki, watched with wide-eyed anticipation as Cologne sipped from her
teacup, then set it down on the table. "Ah, that was good."

	Akane closed her eyes for a moment. She wished she could get
away, just for a little while, just long enough to make sense of it all.
She could feel Kodachi ravaging Ranma's body once again. Didn't she ever
get tired? Probably not. And Ranma just kept on letting her do it. Did
he *like* it?

	No. He hated it. She knew that from looking into his thoughts.
Her touch repulsed him so much that his mind had to retreat into
emptiness. He went along with her because he had to. Why was that so
hard for Akane to accept? Kodachi had to still think that Ranma was
under her control; that could make the difference between losing and
winning.

	She tried to reassure him, to tell him that soon it would all be
over and he'd be free. But she didn't really believe that. Whatever
advantages they had against Kodachi were tenuous at best. They'd buy a
few chances to make surprise attacks, nothing more. And as soon as she
found out the truth, it would be pretty easy for her to brainwash Ranma
effectively, and to change Akane into a pig permanently, and there'd be
nothing they could do about it.

	Part of Akane's mind wanted to run away with Ranma. They could
leave their physical shells and the oh-so-screwed up world behind
forever and just float eternally through the void that lie between her
mind and his. In a way, it would be romantic. The two of them, together
forever, where no one could ever disturb them. But something within her
wouldn't let her do that. She couldn't just leave her friends in the
lurch. For another thing, she *liked* living in the physical world, with
all of its sensations. Also, it would be giving up a fight before it was
over. That was something that Akane Tendo just didn't do. Neither did
Ranma Saotome, she reminded him through the mental link.

	Akane opened her eyes. Cologne still hadn't said anything.

	Kasumi took Cologne's cup. "Would you like some more?"

	Akane stood, not giving her time to answer. "Look, I don't mean
to be inhospitable or anything like that. But last night you said that
you needed time to figure out what we can do against Kodachi. Well, it's
morning. If you've got ideas, I think we need to hear them."

	"Ideas?" Tatewaki held up his bokken. "We need no grand
strategy. We need to attack with all of our combined might, so that we
may cast out whatever foul demons have bewitched my sister. With our
courage and the righteousness of our cause, we shall prevail."

	"If you say so, Kuno-chan." Nabiki shot him one of her patented
I'm-dealing-with-an-idiot looks. "You can go attack on your own if you
like. Maybe instead of Antarctica, Kodachi will send you to the moon
this time. Me, I'll wait until we have some idea of what we're doing.
Call me overcautious, but I think we can come up with a more effective
plan than the old all-out frontal charge."

	"I'm sure we can," Soun said. He turned to Cologne. "Ma'am, you
have an idea to suggest?"

	"Yes," Cologne said. "I propose that we do the one thing that
Kodachi wouldn't expect."

	Akane stared closely at the elder Amazon's face. "And that is?"

	Cologne smirked. "An all-out frontal charge."

	Akane boggled. "And just *why* would she not expect that from
*this* group?"

	The others stared at each other in disbelief. Nabiki glared
suspiciously at Cologne. "THAT'S your idea of a plan?!" shouted.

	"I believe the best option is to attack with as much force as
possible, all at once," Cologne responded coolly. "Kodachi has no
worshipers to recharge her energy. Her power is immense, but it must
have its limits, and she probably doesn't know what they are. She's like
a child playing with a toy, unaware that the batteries will eventually
run out."

	"Okay," Nabiki said noncommittally. "But how we know that our
group is strong enough to push her that far?"

	"We don't." Cologne smiled grimly. "But it seems like the best
chance we have."

	"Well, I'm game," Ukyo said. "None of us'll be safe until
Kodachi is stopped, and sitting around here isn't gonna help."

	Ryoga nodded. "I'm with you." Ukyo smiled back, looking a little
sad for some reason. Akane tried not to look at Ryoga. Later she'd show
him exactly how pleased she was about his masquerade as her pet pig; but
for now, she just didn't want anything more to do with him than what was
absolutely necessary.

	"As for myself, you need not ask," Tatewaki said, "for the
bokken of Upperclassman Kuno stands ever ready." The rest of the room
murmured in agreement.

	"If we're going to do this, let's do it quickly." Akane stole a
mental glance at Ranma. He and Kodachi were once again... no. She closed
her mind against it. She didn't want to have to see it, not again. "I
have a feeling that Kodachi will be... expending a lot of energy in the
next half hour or so."

	Cologne eyed her curiously for a moment. "Very well. Let us make
last-minute preparations, and then go."

	"Oh, Ryoga! I almost forgot." Kasumi pointed towards the
kitchen. "Shampoo would like to speak with you. She said that she needs
your help with something."

	"Me?"

	"Yes, I don't know why but she said it was something that only
you could help her with."

	"Okay." Ryoga stood, and paused near Akane. "Tell her I'll be
there in a minute."

	Akane ignored him, trying to look deep in thought.

	"Akane?"

	*Go away, you....* "What?"

	"Could I ask you something?"

	"What?" she asked disinterestedly, not turning to look at him.

	"Er, it's just that... Akari and I are getting married."

	Akane grunted noncommittally.

	"We'd really like you to come to the wedding."

	"I'm busy then."

	"But... I haven't told you when it'll be!"

	"Oh, I'm sorry, Ryoga!" she said with mock concern. "Pick a
date. THEN I'll make an excuse."

	"Akane? I-- I thought we were friends!"

	"Friends? FRIENDS?!" She turned toward him, spitting her words
at his face. "You slept in my BED, you ASS! Is that your idea of what a
friend does?"

	"Akane, I...."

	Akane noticed the stares she was getting, and lowered her voice.
"Ryoga, we have to work together to beat Kodachi. But after that, I
don't care what you do. Just go away where I never have to see you
again. And we are NOT friends."

	"I'm sorry," he mumbled feebly, head bent down. Kasumi ushered
him toward the kitchen.

	*Good riddance,* Akane thought. She could tell that Ranma felt
sorry for Ryoga. She did too. But after what he had done, no way was she
going to let him know. Anyway, there were more important things to think
about. She was going to beat Kodachi and free Ranma, no matter what it
took.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	Happosai scurried around the corner of the hall.  Nobody had
seen him - well, of course nobody had seen him.  His years of training
to become the undisputed master of the Anything Goes Martial Arts school
also gave him the skill and dexterity unchallenged by any man.
Unfortunately, many women had challenged him in the past and he had lost
many a time as well. Happosai sighed and looked at the silky panty in
his shirt.  His fatal weakness was his source of power.  If only he
could have been more like that flying fellow in that gaijin manga.  At
least all he had to worry about was if someone had the guts to try to
irradiate him, and he got his power from standing in sunlight!  Yet,
despite all the troubles Happosai had had from his one true source of
power, he'd enjoyed it immensely.  There were women who believed it was
his true source of power and the force that allowed him to do deeds that
would be remembered in chronicles of bravery and chivalry.  He just
hadn't met them yet.

	The diminutive master of the Anything Goes Arts slipped around
the corner and up the stairs to his room.  As he ironed the silken
undergarments carefully, he pondered the current situation.  Kodachi had
become a goddess. The insane gymnast struck him as an immensely
beautiful, but highly unstable woman.  She also had some of the best
lingerie in town.  The lingerie also got bumped up a notch in the
kingdom of lingerie-dom.  Kodachi was a goddess, ergo her lingerie was
the lingerie of a goddess.

	Happosai's eyes widened at the revelation.  His mind reeled.
With Kodachi's lingerie in his collection, he would unstoppable!  The
challenge would prove he was the sneakiest, most cunning martial artist
ever.  The men coming to challenge for the right of bearing such holy
undergarments would fall before his might.  His hands clenched into
fists, the mere thought of stealing Kodachi's underwear sent a surge of
adrenaline through is veins. Happosai's aura flared as he abruptly
jumped to his feet with a mighty roar.

	"Hah!  I'll get them if it's the last thing I do!" he roared.

	"That's nice, but what are you talking about?" Kasumi asked from
behind him.

	Happosai froze and quickly spun around.  The aura fizzled out in
an instant with a slightly audible *PON*.

	"Oh nothing, sweetie!  Absolutely nothing.  Just cursing the
horrible mosquitoes here," he replied with a chuckle.  Thank god she's
absolutely clueless, Happosai mused to himself.

	"Well, I just came to tell you dinner's ready," she replied with
a smile.

	Happosai nodded with a smile, grabbed a large sack and hopped
out the window in a flash.

	"I'll be right down, Kasumi-chan!" he called over his shoulder
as he disappeared into the night.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	When Happosai made it to the Kuno mansion, an odd spectacle met
his eyes.  The building was still the same as it was before.  Nothing
had changed, as far as he could tell.  It was just a little brighter and
a little more quiet.  Both made the lecherous master nervous, but it
also gave him a slight thrill knowing he'd be the first to steal
Kodachi's panties.  He nearly drooled at the thought of her silken
undergarments in his hands, rubbing them across his face religiously.

	"Waaaaaaaaai," he murmured to himself.  He wiped his mouth and
hopped over the wall around the house, being careful not to hit any of
the traps he already knew were there.  He doubled the dose of caution,
checking to make sure there weren't any new traps; but as he neared the
house, he realized there weren't any.  It puzzled him.  Why wouldn't a
goddess protect herself from heathens and huns moreso than when she was
bereft of her powers?  There already were a giant number of traps to
begin with, and being a goddess only got you so much power.  There
weren't any temples or shrines up in her name yet to boot.

	"Your overconfidence will be the end of you, my dear, " Happosai
chuckled to himself.  "Well, the end of your panties�"

	As the he hopped along the walls of the house, scaling and
climbing to the rooftop, he paused at a window.  Odd noises were coming
from it.  Odd  female noises to be exact.  He hadn't heard those noises
in a long time - a very, very long time to be exact.  As he sat at the
windowsill listening to the familiar twisted voice moaning in pleasure,
a faint feeling stirred within.  He crept to the edge of the window and
peeked in carefully.

	Kodachi lay across her bed, completely naked.  Happosai's eyes
widened enormously.  Ranma lay on the floor in front of her, completely
clothed.  As Happosai watched, Ranma did ten push-ups with one hand.
Kodachi moaned more.  Ranma looked simultaneously humiliated and
extremely confused.  Happosai tried to come to a conclusion about the
scene, but decided it hurt too much.  As he stared, he could make out
Kodachi's lips mouthing out something about vacuuming.  Ranma's face
blanched and Kodachi lazily got to her feet and left.  The moment she
left the room, Happosai made his move.  

	Ranma didn't even blink as Happosai sprang in through the window
and made a beeline for the dresser by the bed.  Happosai ignored the
boy. Everything was irrelevant now, and only the panties mattered.
Well, the bra mattered as well, but not quite as much as the panties.
On the other hand, there wasn't anything quite like a matching set in
Happosai's mind.  The diminutive martial master pulled a drawer out of
the dresser and was stunned silent.  There in the drawer lay the most
exquisite set of lingerie he could ever have imagined.  A complete set
of stockings, garter, panties, and bra sat in plain view.  He inhaled
sharply, taking in the perfumed scent. Trembling hands slowly descended
upon the silk fabric religiously. Happosai's mind reeled in ecstasy as
he reached for the lingerie.

	Happosai's body reeled in pain as Kodachi stopped him short,
pounding on his head with her feet, kicking him repeatedly.  He idly
wondered just how she could have gotten the drop on him as she screamed
and kicked him repeatedly before booting him out the window and over the
outer wall of the mansion grounds.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

	To Ranma's credit, nothing surprised him much anymore, but it
was too difficult to not be surprised by what had just transpired no
more than two feet from his face.  One minute, Kodachi had been
pleasuring herself as he worked out in front of her bed.  The next
minute Happosai was in the room fondling her lingerie.  Then, all hell
broke loose the minute Kodachi returned, as naked as the day she was
born, and holding one of her gymnastics ribbons in her hand.

	"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" she had screamed.

	Happosai didn't even have time to answer, though Kodachi really
didn't need any.

	"You ugly, ugly, perverted, small, peasant, ugly,
perverted-ARGH!" she had screamed as she kicked and stomped Happosai's
head into the floor. Happosai, at that point, had the dignity to look
rather sheepish, but nothing more than that as Kodachi's leg seemed to
blur as she pounded the lecherous master through the shag carpeting.
She had finished it all off with a swift kick to his head that would
have made any soccer coach proud. Happosai flew out the window with a
full foot of clearance on all sides of the window.  The curtains shifted
slightly in the tailwind he left.

	Kodachi had simply stood there, looking rather indignant, still
completely naked, and rather turned off by the whole affair.  A second
or two later, she turned on a heel and stomped out of the room in a
huff.  No super powers exerted, no goddess-like powers flaunted, and
most of all it happened the instant she saw Happosai in the room.

	Ranma simply stared in awe.  A small bulb in the back of his
subconscious flickered briefly before flipping on to full illumination.
He blinked a few times, his jaw dropped to the floor.  Kodachi smiled as
she stood in front of him in her fully naked glory.  Ranma didn't
notice.  The link to Akane's mind shifted into high gear, slamming the
youngest Tendo with a plethora of information.  Most of it was useless,
but amongst the incoherent mental babbling, an idea formed.  It turned
into a plan and Akane smiled.  It wasn't much, but it was all she had at
the moment, and it was better than waiting.  She got to her feet and
hurried off to tell Cologne of Ranma's plan.

	Kodachi hummed to herself as she undressed herself for a mid-day
nap.  She yawned and stretched like a cat, lazily crawling up the sheets
towards Ranma, who lay on the bed fully clothed and staring intently on
the ceiling.  She nibbled on his fingers, and slowly made her way up his
arm towards his neck.  Ranma simply continued to stare.  He shifted once
uncomfortably.  Kodachi took no notice.

-=-=-=-

	Ranma maintained a bead on a small spot on the ceiling the
entire time.  He hated the way his body responded, and simply kept
ignoring his hormones as well as he could.  Ranma could feel her lips
kissing and her teeth nibbling on his skin.  His body just kept
responding despite his best mental efforts.  Akane was there again, but
she seemed distracted.  What was she listening to?  Was that Cologne?
Why wasn't she trying to help?  She was always there before, in full
force.  Whenever the abuse started, she was always there and ready to
soothe him.  Why not now?  Didn't he matter anymore?  Ranma cried out
mentally for her.  She was still distracted.  What was going on?

	Maybe he could take Kodachi's attention away from him, at least
for a minute or two. He looked around the room, and a pile of papers on
a shelf caught his eye. "Um... hey, Kodachi, what are those?"

	"Tribute, darling."

	She reached over and handed them to him so he could see. Ranma
recognized them as stock certificates. "Wow." He paged through some of
them. "Microsoft... Sony... UCF.... How'd you get your hands on these?"

	"I simply let it be known that those companies who turned over
part of their ownership to me would enjoy my divine blessing. And that
any unfortunate accidents which might befall those who didn't would be
entirely coincidental." She laughed. "Quite a few took me up on my offer
after they saw what I was capable of."

	"Hey, cool." Ranma pretended to be interested. At least talking
about it kept her busy. "You gonna take over the world or something?"

	"No, darling. I have no interest in that. That would imply some
sort of responsibility on my part for what happens to its people."

	Ranma grunted as if he understood. Yeah, right, whatever.

	"No, I don't want to rule the world -- I want to own it.
Ownership means that it is mine to do with as I will, and that all
others need pay tribute to me for the simple privilege of existing on
it. A much more favorable arrangement, wouldn't you say, darling?"

	"Yep." Ranma nodded, forcing a wide smile. "Pretty wicked!"

	"Wicked? Oh, no. It's simply free competition. Nothing more than
any of them would do if they were able. Being superior, why should I
*not* possess it all?"

	Kodachi placed the papers back on the shelf, and returned her
attentions to Ranma.

	The minute her face slid into view, smiling seductively at him,
his mind opened the hatch and bailed.  His eyes seemed to glaze over
ever so slightly.  Kodachi paused for a moment.  She blinked slowly,
wondering if Ranma was plotting something, but wasn't he in love with
her? He suddenly blinked.  Kodachi pulled back ever so slightly.  Ranma
smiled warmly.  Kodachi smiled shyly.  Did he finally realize that she
truly loved him?  Did he want to share that love wholeheartedly?

	Ranma wrapped powerful arms around her waist as she slowly moved
into a long and passionate kiss with him.  Their lips remained locked
for a minute before Kodachi broke for air.  She hugged him fiercely and
almost cried.

	"Ranma-sama!  You really understand now, don't you?"

	"Of course," he replied.

	"I will love you until the end of time, my darling," Kodachi
said as she hugged him tightly.

	"You're crying, 'Dachi-chan," he said in surprise.

	"I'm just happy, Ranma.  I've never wanted anything in my life
more than you.  It was like something was missing until just now."

	Ranma looked at Kodachi with a mixture of genuine surprise and
concern.

	"Really?"

	Kodachi nodded and smiled warmly.  She laughed quietly. Nothing
harsh, but soft and gentle - the laugh one would have expected from
someone completely opposite of the Kodachi Ranma knew.  She leaned back
into Ranma in a gentle embrace.

	"Ranma-sama?"

	"Yeah?"

	"Please don't leave me," she whispered.  "Everything's finally
just right now.  Everything's so perfect.  I just don't want this to
end.  It's just like someone opened a door and the fuzziness is gone."

	"I wouldn't leave you for the world, honey."

	"I'd die if you did," she whispered.

	Ranma felt the hint of a tear grace his neck.

	"You want to go for a walk?" he asked.

	Kodachi sniffled and pulled back to look at Ranma with a warm
smile.

	"Certainly," she replied.  "Just let me get dressed, my love."

	She quickly parted to delve into her closet for something to
wear. Ranma blinked once, then got to his feet.  He met her at the door
and opened it, waving her through with an amusing bow.  As she left,
walking animatedly through the hall, he smiled.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	Ranma stared at the group in front of him.  So full of passion,
of righteous anger. Kuno and Ukyo stood side-by-side, bokken and spatula
poised threateningly. Next to them was Ryoga, with Shampoo behind him.
Nabiki stood off to the side, carrying pig-Akane in her arms. Genma and
Soun were at the back, the latter in full samurai armor.

	"All full of yourselves, ain't ya," Ranma said in a blase voice.

	Kodachi frowned and nodded. "How dare you interrupt our walk
through to the estate's gardens!" she spat.

	Pig-Akane stared as Ranma protectively moved Kodachi behind him.

	"I can take care of this, 'Dachi-chan," he said evenly.

	"Please be careful, Ranma-sama," she whispered.  "Please don't
get hurt.  I love you."

	Everyone paused as Kodachi gently embraced Ranma from behind,
making out the words 'I love you' as they passed her lips.  This wasn't
in the plan, and everything seemed off kilter.  Wasn't Kodachi supposed
to be laughing insanely and trying to destroy them with her almighty
power?

	"It's over, Kodachi," Nabiki said evenly with a wave of her
hand. "You can release Ranma, or you can suffer the consequences.  We
*can* make a deal, you know."

	Kodachi sidestepped to stand next to Ranma.  She took his hand
in hers and gripped it possessively.

	"No," she said defiantly.  "I suggest you simply depart, and
leave us alone."

	"Not a chance!" Ukyo shouted.  "You can't just make Ranma your
puppet!"

	"He is not a puppet, my dear girl," Kodachi replied.  "He chose
me over you, and that is fact." Ranma almost believed her.

	Suddenly, something crawled out of the estate's pond. The splash
of water as it emerged drenched the back members of the group, turning
Genma to panda form. All eyes turned, and gaped at the creature that had
just emerged. Kodachi's pet alligator had grown to about twice its
original size. Its jaws looked big enough to swallow a person
lengthwise. Its limbs had expanded in proportion to its body, allowing
it to walk with its belly well above the ground.

	"Ah, Mr. Turtle." Kodachi smiled dreamily. "Isn't it nice to
have a family pet, Ranma darling? Especially after the modifications
I've made."

	Soun eeped as the creature growled at him. He turned to run,
then tripped, his heavy armor clattering as he fell prostrate to the
ground. The giant alligator looked over him, and settled its gaze on
another member of the group.

	"Growf?" said Genma-panda. He then quickly sprinted out through
the estate's front gate, with Mr. Turtle following in hot pursuit.

	"I shall make one more attempt to be reasonable," Kodachi said.
"I love Ranma and Ranma loves me. Leave us alone to our happiness."

	"They won't listen to you, 'Dachi-chan."  Ranma paused for a
moment, then smacked his fist into his open palm.  "I could beat some
sense into 'em, though."

	"No," Kodachi said firmly.  "I don't want you getting hurt."

	Ranma balked for a moment. Why was she being so... considerate?
But he had a plan, and he had follow it through. "I won't get hurt if
you can give me the power to beat them."

	"Very well." Kodachi began to twirl her ribbon. Everyone took an
involuntary step back as Ranma was suffused by a bright light. Ranma
took a step forwards.  His body exuded power.  The ground nearly quaked
with every step he took.  He stopped a few steps in front of Kodachi,
and took a deep breath.

	"I hate having to do this, guys," he said.  "I really do."

	Akane looked at Ranma, fear and concern covering her pig face.

	Ukyo looked stupefied.

	Ryoga grit his teeth and prepared for the worst.

	Shampoo almost stumbled back, stifling a sob.  She felt her
stomach twist painfully.

	Nabiki closed her eyes and also prepared for the worst.

	Cologne's lips tightened into a straight line.  She gripped her
staff tightly.

	Kuno, for the first time in his life, stood like a rock.  His
face remained stoic and blank.

	At the last minute, Akane smiled.

	Ranma gave it everything he had, and then some.  He fell to his
knees with a grunt, and squinted as the bright light of the blast flared
mightily.  In the end, he got uneasily to his feet and stared.  Kodachi
stared back at him, her face a twisted look of confusion and betrayal.
Nothing had moved, and her kimono looked less ruffled than her emotions.
Nothing had happened.

	Ranma felt his heart skip a beat and his stomach drop into his
bowels.

	"Why?" Kodachi whispered.

	"Why d'you think?" he shot back.

	"But I let you go.  I thought you chose," she whispered, as
tears streamed down her face.

	Kuno, ever the dramatic swordsman, lunged forwards, striking out
at his sister.  He never made it.  An unseen force hefted him off the
ground as if her were a feather and threw him through the tops of the
trees and into a large stand of bushes.  There was a groan, and then
silence.  Everyone leapt to the attack after a moment's pause.  Kodachi
erected a small sphere around herself and Ranma without even thinking.
As everyone else pounded away at the bubble, with no noticeable effect,
she took a hesitant step towards Ranma.  He looked away at the ground
uneasily.

	"I thought you loved me," she whispered.  Her lower lip quivered
slightly. "You said so."

	"I lied." he said, trying to sound more hostile than he really
felt.

	"Why?"

	Ranma stood with his jaw hanging open, unable to answer. Why
should he have to explain himself to her? She was his enemy, wasn't she?
So why did he feel so badly about hurting her?

	"I loved you, Ranma."  She sobbed and shook her head.  "I only
wanted us to be happy together."

	Anger within Ranma bubbled to the surface. "Love?  You turned me
into a zombie, then tried to brainwash me. Is that how you show your
love?  By turning my... my friend into a pig? Was that supposed to make
me happy?"

	"You can't even begin to understand, Ranma. Nothing good has
ever... just happened... to me. Nothing important, anyway. Whenever
anything in my life went the way I wanted, it was because I forced it
to. Because I took control. That's the lesson that life has taught me."

	"Just stop it all now, Kodachi," Ranma said evenly.  "You can
start by stopping all of this now." Maybe he could get her to give up
just by talking to her. Fighting sure as hell wasn't working.

	Kodachi didn't say a word.  Ranma sighed.

	"Do you love me?" she whispered.

	"What?"

	"Do you love me?" she repeated.

	Ranma closed his eyes painfully.

	"Please tell me," she whispered.

	"I can't, Kodachi.  I can't say anything that'll make you
happy." He couldn't without lying again, anyway, and something told him
that wouldn't be a good idea.

	"So you don't."

	"Sorry," was all he could say.

	Kodachi's eyes hardened. Ranma had just taught her the same
lesson again. He knew it, but he couldn't think of any way out of it.

-=-=-=-

	Ukyo swung her spatula at the white globe that now surrounded
Ran-chan and Kodachi. It bounced harmlessly off, as it had the last ten
times. "Damn!" she shouted. All of their attacks had been completely
ineffective. Just how powerful *was* Kodachi now? How could a wish from
a magic locket change her so much?

	Then again... maybe it didn't. An idea began to cook in Ukyo's
mind. Since she'd heard about Kodachi's wish, she'd been reading up on
various mythologies. Many of the gods had had symbols -- devices through
which they focused their power. It would be difficult, she guessed, to
change a human being into a deity. But it was probably easy -- well,
less difficult, at least -- to give a human a deity's power symbol. So
maybe Kodachi had been fooling them all, or perhaps the wishing locket
had fooled her. Maybe she wasn't a goddess after all.

	But even if her idea was true, she still needed to get through
Kodachi's barrier before she could act on it. She reared her spatula
back, swinging it in a wide arc. It crashed down on the white bubble
surface, denting the spatula slightly but causing no other effect. "Damn
it!" she cried. "There has to be some way through this thing!"

	"There is." Ryoga's voice made Ukyo turn. "Get back."

-=-=-=-

	"What are you gonna--"

	Ryoga said nothing, staring grimly at Ukyo, motioning her away
from the sphere. He didn't want anyone else getting hurt by what he was
about to do.

	Ukyo stepped back. With the others behind him, he forced himself
to remember the conversation he'd had with Akane. *Just go away where I
never have to see you again,* she had said. *And we are NOT friends.*

	"Shi--"

	A nimbus of light began to surround Ryoga. It wasn't as if he
was asking her to marry him. He'd already given up on loving her. No, he
only wanted to be friends. Just didn't want her to hate him. Was that
too much to ask?

	"-- Shi--"

	A column of fiery emotion engulfed him, stretching up toward the
heavens. She hated him. And who could blame her? He had used his curse
to sneak into her bed, night after night. Then, a magical wish removed
his curse -- and ended up giving it to her instead.

	"-- HOKODAN!"

	The gigantic pillar of energy broke free. The grass under it
burned as it slid forward, leaving bare dirt in its wake, until it
collided with Kodachi's sphere. A blinding flash of light filled the
yard.

-=-=-=-

	Wisps of smoke arose from the crater that now adorned the Kuno
lawn. Kodachi and Ranma lay disheveled at the center. Ukyo stared at the
scene, amazed. Ryoga's attack had actually worked. It had hurt her.

	Kodachi quickly rose to her feet and picked up her ribbon. She
glared at Ranma like a mother facing a delinquent child. The ribbon. It
was the one thing she always seemed to keep with her. Could it be....
Ukyo's heart began to beat faster as a plan came to mind. Maybe it was
pretty unlikely. But what else could she do against Kodachi anyway? May
as well go for broke. She just had to wait for the right moment.

	Kodachi put her hands to her hips. "Ranma, Ranma, Ranma...
whatever am I to do with you?"

	"Ki attack... hurt you, huh?" Ranma coughed, glaring defiantly
as he staggered to his feet.

	"Merely took me by surprise. I assure you, it will not-- what?"

	"GOT IT!" Ukyo grabbed onto Kodachi's ribbon, quickly jerking it
out of her hands. She ran out of the blast crater, laughing with glee as
she twirled the ribbon through the air. "It's MINE!"

	"My dear, whatever are you talking about?"

	"Your source of power! Now I'M THE GOD!!" This was it. Time to
test the theory. She'd either just won everything, or made herself look
really stupid. Gripping the ribbon tightly, Ukyo concentrated, and
wished...

	... and Kodachi knelt, lowering her head in respect. One by one,
each of the others did the same.

	Ukyo wished again, and Ranma and Ryoga stood by her side. They
beamed looks of utter adoration at her as she climbed onto their
shoulders to view the world from on high.

	Akane and Kodachi stared at her, envious but not resentful. Of
course, it wasn't fair for her to take two men without leaving anything
for them. Akane could have Kuno, but what about Kodachi and Akari? She'd
have to find something for them. It was only fair. Maybe those boys from
school, Hiroshi and Daisuke.

	Ukyo smiled. The sun obediently emerged from behind the clouds
to flood the world in gentle light and warmth. Birds chirped out a
joyful melody. Everything was perfect. Across the world. heads bowed in
loving devotion, as voices chorused, "We worship you, Ukyo-sama!"

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	"What the heck did you do to Ucchan?"

	Kodachi smirked. "Merely given her what she wanted. She's happy
now!"

	Ukyo staggered around the grass, eyes glazed over in a dreamy
haze. "Why, Ran-chan! Ryo-chan! You say the sweetest things! You don't
need to fight. You can *both* be first!"

	"Cut it out, Kodachi," Ranma said. He tried to sound strong and
confident, but pretty much failed. "Don't make this worse than it
already is."

	"You've already made your feelings quite clear, Ranma." Her
voice quavered a bit. "I really don't see any reason why I should listen
to you. Now, let's see; whatever shall I do with this waitress?"

	"Maybe Ukyo isn't the one who's hallucinating, Kodachi," Akane's
voice called from behind Kodachi. She spoke in an even, almost clinical
tone.

	Ranma looked just in time to see Akane pouring water on her own
head. By the time Kodachi turned around, all she saw was a small, black
piglet. *I hope you know what you're doing, Akane,* he telepathed. It
was a dangerous game she was playing.

	Kodachi stared at P-kane for long moments, as if trying to
figure out what the trick was, before turning her attention back to
Ukyo. "Yes, what shall I do with you? Transform you into some small
animal, perhaps. I think the name 'Inukyo' has a lovely ring to it.
Don't you agree, Ranma?"

	Ignoring her and reaching his hands forward, Ranma began to
build up for a moko takabisha. It would be a pretty weak blast; he
didn't feel much confidence left within him. But he had to try, and it
was the only thing he knew that might have any effect at all.

	Behind Kodachi's back, he saw Nabiki quickly pour hot water on
Akane, then quickly step back. Once, seeing Akane's naked body would've
triggered a very specific reaction. Now, he felt a little disgusted. All
seeing it did was to remind him of everything Kodachi had forced him to
do, and everything he'd done with her freely even though he hadn't
wanted to.

	"Goddess powers? Magical lockets? Who in her right mind could
believe that, Kodachi?" Akane doused herself and became a pig once more.

	"SHUT UP!" Kodachi gestured forward, and an enormous bolt of
force burst forth. With P-chan-like speed and reflexes, Akane dodged,
but the edge of it caught her. Through the mental link, Ranma felt her
consciousness go black.

	Ranma pointed. Something within him exploded outward, blasting
out at Kodachi. It wasn't his usual attack, nor was it Ryoga's shishi
hokodan. He wasn't sure where it came from. But it was powerful. And it
hurt. She stumbled back, her face twisted by pain.

	Kodachi looked up. "You truly hate me, don't you."

	"I--" The question took Ranma aback, and he paused in his
offensive. After all she'd done, he had a perfect right to hate her. Why
did he feel like *he* was the bad guy all of the sudden?

	Ryoga ran up, a battle aura flaring.

	"C'mon, Ranma!  Now's our chance to finish this!" he shouted. He
fired a shishi hokodan. Kodachi's body shook violently, wracked by the
impact.

	"What are you doing?!" Ryoga nearly screamed at Ranma. "Don't
just stand there! Now's our chance to finish it!"

	"Right." Ranma simply pointed, concentrated and threw another ki
blast at Kodachi. It had to end. It didn't matter who was right. What
mattered was making sure no one else got turned into a pig or a dog.

	"Thank you," Kodachi said. "I believe that answers my question."

	She shot a withering glare, and Ryoga stopped dead in his
tracks.

	"You've been lost before, but now I'm going to make it
permanent!" she hissed. His eyes glazed over and went blank as he fell
to his knees, staring forward lifelessly. "It will take you until the
end of time to find your way out of your own mind," she murmured with a
measure of satisfaction.

	"Ko-Kodachi," Ranma stammered.

	"Don't talk to me, Ranma."  Kodachi sighed heavily.  "I really
did love you, you know. Together, we could have had everything. But you
threw it all away."

	Ranma stepped back.  The fire in Kodachi's eyes was
unmistakable. For once in his life, he felt absolute terror.

	He doubled over as every nerve in his body, every sense he ever
possessed flared simultaneously.  The message was loud and clear.  This
was pain.  This was pain in every sense of the word.  It was raw, and
untamed and unrelenting.  He prayed that his mind would open the hatch
and let go.  He didn't have to wait long.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	Hovering lazily in the air, Kodachi gazed down at the Chinese
waitress. "It seems you are the last to remain. What a pity." Her
stomach showed the unmistakable bulge of one with child. Ranma's child.
According to what Ranma had said, she had forced herself upon him using
the consequences of her wish. Such a despicable act. She deserved to be
punished for it; perhaps changed into some small animal?

	A look into the girl's eyes told Kodachi that action on her part
was unnecessary. Such pain. No wonder the waitress was the only one who
hadn't defied the Black Rose. Kodachi imagined the agony the girl had to
be going through, and smiled.

	"My dear girl, I understand how you must feel. Darling Ranma
told me how you used your one wish to entrap him into marriage. How he
resorted to some rather... extreme measures to get rid of you. Being
married to you must have been terrible for him, eh?"

	The waitress opened her mouth, but did not speak.

	"Then, of course, you returned, and Ranma welcomed you into his
home. But he was merely being kind. He would never love you. You must
have soon realized that. And you bore his child. And even if it weren't
for that, your Amazon law required you to remain with him, even if it
was as nothing more than one of the family pets. Staying made you
miserable, every day reminding you of your failure, but you could not
leave. How sad. I feel for you, my dear."

	Tears began to form in the waitress' eyes. She seemed about to
either make some futile attack against Kodachi, or break down into a
crying fit. Kodachi wanted to laugh.

	The girl lifted her hands in front of her, and spoke.

	"Shishi hokodan."

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	Crouched behind the estate's front gate, Nabiki watched as a
gigantic ball of energy erupted from Shampoo's outstretched hands. It
blazed like a miniature sun as it blasted forward to slam into Kodachi
with hurricane force. Nabiki had to shut her eyes for fear of being
blinded.

	When she looked again, the Kuno front lawn had been replaced by
a huge crater. Clouds of dust wafted through the air. In the center of
the destruction, Kodachi stood -- her hair disheveled, her kimono torn,
but she stood. It hadn't been enough.

	Shampoo threw another blast. Kodachi walked slowly forward, ever
forward. Unstoppable. Nabiki turned and looked away, not wanting to
watch what would happen to the Amazon. What could they do now?

	Then she noticed she wasn't alone.

	Cologne stood only a few feet away, stoically staring at the
battle. Nabiki stepped back, startled that anyone could have been so
near without her knowledge. Then she saw the locket, hanging from its
chain around Cologne's neck.

	"Ah, so that's it," Nabiki said, her tone slightly accusatory.

	Cologne shot back an inscrutable glance, then turned back to the
direction in which she had been looking.

	"Not bad. I'm impressed, really I am. It was a good plan. Let
Kodachi burn her energy fighting the cannon fodder. Let them keep her
busy enough that she won't think about a little thing like keeping up a
silence spell on a piece of jewelry."

	Cologne remained silent. From the battlefield, lights flared.
Shampoo cried out in pain.

	"What were you planning to wish for? Shampoo's ascension to
godhood, maybe. I'd have to let it happen -- the lesser of two evils, so
to speak. Not that it would've done Ranma much good, but I and the rest
of the world would be better off. Could hardly be worse."

	Nabiki studied Cologne's face. The Amazon elder betrayed no
trace of emotion. Her mouth opened, and no sound was heard.

	"Yes, it was a good plan. Too bad it didn't work."

	Cologne carefully slipped the locket over her head, and let it
fall to the ground. "You're right."

	"You'd better get out there. I think your great-granddaughter
could use a little help, and you're the last one left."

	"Yes, I am," she said in a grave voice. "And if I fall, as I
likely will, Kodachi will turn her attentions to you next."

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	Unnoticed, a figure staggered through the front gate.

	The wounds that covered his body made it painful to move. Every
bone, every nerve cried out for him to stop and just lie down, pretend
to be defeated. No one would know the difference.

	He had barely survived the fight. He hadn't fought such a tough
opponent in many, many years -- probably never. In the end, all he had
going for him was pure survival instinct. It was too fast for him to run
from. It wasn't going to let him give up. He didn't want to die.

	And, he asked himself, now what? He'd won his battle, but the
war still seemed hopeless. There were no signs that Kodachi was running
short on power, and everyone who might be able to challenge her lay
unconscious, or worse. The sensible thing to do would be to surrender.
They should've done that to begin with. They'd lost the moment she had
gotten that wish granted. None of them had the power to defeat her.
Fighting her would at best only earn them more aches and pains.

	As he stepped forward, something caught on his toe. He looked
down. It was the wishing amulet. Bending over, he carefully pulled it up
by the chain. He tried to grunt, and found that no sound came out. The
silence magic that Kodachi had placed on the locket was obviously still
in effect. Of course, as things currently were, he wouldn't be able to
use it anyway.

	An idea began to form in his mind. A stupid one, really. But at
this point, anything was worth a try....

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	Nabiki watched as Cologne walked through the blast craters that
used to be the Kuno estate's lawn. Shampoo lay on the ground,
unconscious. The old ghoul, as Ranma called her, was their last chance.

	"Well?" Kodachi said. "You are going to attack me, old woman?"

	Cologne stared back impassively. "No."

	"No?" Kodachi raised a skeptical eyebrow.

	"I don't fight battles that can't be won." She moved over to
Shampoo. "I will take my great-granddaughter and leave, and what you do
after that is none of my concern."

	"Hmmm." Kodachi eyed her suspiciously. "I don't trust you.
Still...."

	"Sweet-O!" a voice suddenly cried out.

	Kodachi balked as Happosai flew out her window jubilantly.

	"Ah, my silky darlings!  I've liberated you from that horrible,
dark and dusty prison!  You and your friends are free to come with me!"
Happosai called out as he landed next to Kodachi.

	She turned to look at him.  He turned to look up at her.  She
blinked.  He blinked.  She raised a curious eyebrow.  Happosai leered at
her.

	"Say, Kodachi-chan, I'd have taken all of them with me, but I
think you need this more than I do,' he said as he tossed out a black
lace panty with a blush.

	Kodachi blinked and looked at her tattered kimono.

	"Whaddaya say?  Give an old man a hug?" he said as he rubbed his
face in her ample curves.

	Kodachi shrieked and pried Happosai off her chest and punched
him to the ground with doubled fists. "Oh, I'll give you much more than
that."

	Happosai grew into a giant as he gripped a handful of silk
panties and bras. "I have the lingerie of a goddess!  It'll take more
than an upstart like you to stop me now!" he shouted.  Happosai threw
his head back and laughed.

	Kodachi abruptly snatched the underwear out of his grasp.

	"Uh oh," Happosai mumbled and looked at his hand.  Empty.  His
aura instantly disappeared.

	Kodachi launched a ball of energy at Happosai. The ground
rumbled and debris flew into the air as it dug a giant crater in the
ground. The smoke and the haze cleared, and Kodachi stood defiantly,
with Happosai face down in the dirt.

	Then her eyes met Cologne's.

	The two suddenly froze. They stood completely motionless, their
gazes locked with each other as if time itself were standing still. To
Nabiki, it was like staring at the screen of a VCR that had been paused;
only her own breathing and the beating of her heart told her otherwise.

	She could only guess at what was happening. It was a battle
being waged beyond the physical. Ranma might have called it a martial
arts staring contest. A clash of wills, of spirits. Was that Kodachi's
one weakness now?

	Suddenly, Happosai jumped up. "MINE!" He snatched the underwear
from Kodachi's grasp.

	The spell was broken. Kodachi glared at Happosai, then back at
Cologne. Before anyone could react, the two oldsters became transparent,
and were gone.

	Get away, some inner voice screamed at Nabiki. Get away, before
it's....

	"Now, then, Ms. Tendo."

	Too late. Kodachi now stood facing her, wearing a smile that
would've been at home on her pet alligator. Her kimono was no longer
torn, and her hair was back perfectly in place, as if all of Ranma's
efforts and everyone else's had amounted to nothing.

	"Ah heh... where did you send them?"

	"Uruguay. I hear it's lovely this time of year. You've been
plotting against me," she said almost melodically. "That's very bad
behavior."

	There was nothing Nabiki could do. Kodachi could change her into
an ant, or simply blast her to bits. For the first time in years, she
was afraid. Her mind raced like a computer program stuck in an infinite
loop. No way out.

	Then a familiar door opened in her mind.

	"Sorry to tell you this, Kodachi," she said, her tone sharply
defiant, "but you've *lost!*"

	"Oh?" Kodachi casually waved a hand, and Nabiki's flesh
withered. In seconds, muscles atrophied, teeth crumbled into powder,
skin fell limply onto brittle bones. She was as old as Cologne, and then
far older. Yet, somehow, she didn't die. Maybe she was just too
stubborn. Or maybe the combat had worn Kodachi down enough that she
didn't have the strength left to extinguish Nabiki's last vital spark.

	*Too late, Kodachi,* Nabiki said to herself. The wish had been
made. Her mind gripped it, molded it like clay. Strangely, she couldn't
hear a voice, but the words were clear enough.

	*I wish one of us had enough power to stop Kodachi.*

	Who? Not Nabiki herself. She'd had a taste of *that* kind of
power already. It wasn't what she wanted. Getting by on shrewdness and
wit was her style, not divine omnipotence.

	It was obvious, really. There was only one person who she could
trust enough. And as she pushed the wish off into the ether to become
reality, her now-ancient lips managed to gasp out a whisper. "Sorry."

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	Akane blinked several times as she picked herself off the
ground. She was human again, and fully clothed. The craters that had
been blasted on the lawn were now gone; healthy green grasses once again
covered the area. 

	"What happened?" Ukyo asked. Ranma, Shampoo, Ryoga, and Kuno
stood, looking equally confused as they scratched their heads.

	Kodachi gaped. She had not willed everything back to normal. Who
in the world could have....

	"Hello!"

	Kodachi turned. "Who?" The woman's smile was warm and sincere,
without a trace of mockery or condescension. Yet Kodachi could feel her
obvious power. It dwarfed even her own, like an ocean next to a pond.
"You are the other Tendo sister, are you not? Kasumi Tendo?"

	"That's right! I know a place where you could take a nice rest,"
Kasumi said cheerfully. "Would you like that?"

	"A... rest?" Kodachi suddenly felt heavy with exhaustion. "Yes."
A rest. That was exactly what she needed -- what she had been in need of
for so very long. Why hadn't she realized it before?

	Kasumi took her by the arm. The others glared daggers at her.
They didn't understand why she had done what she had. How could they?
Let them think what they liked. She cared not.

	Except for Ranma. Kodachi couldn't bear to think of how much he
likely resented her for what she had done to him. Yet in his eyes, she
saw more hurt than hostility.

	"Please don't hate me, Ranma." Perhaps she had no right to ask
that of him, yet somehow it was important that she do so.

	"I... I don't hate you," Ranma answered guardedly. "Maybe I
should, but I don't." He turned away from her.

	Kasumi waved goodbye to Ranma and the others. Kodachi smiled.
Ranma had said something nice to her, completely of his own free will.
And he had meant it, too. She knew that. That made her happy, with a joy
that she could never have gotten from godly powers or any other magical
wish. She might even have called it her heart's desire.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	"Hai-yaaaa!"

	With a spirited yell, Genma launched himself into the air. Ranma
leapt from the Tendo dojo's roof toward his father, their eyes locked in
a contest of wills.

	Genma twisted his body and stretched out a leg, hooking his foot
under Ranma's knee. His arm lashed out with a series of chops, which
Ranma blocked.

	"Pathetic, boy! You've gotten out of shape! Were you just lying
around on your back for this past week?"

	"Why, you...." Ranma launched an angry punch at Genma, but the
old man nimbly ducked under it.

	"Don't worry, Ranma!" Genma laughed. "Whenever you get mixed up
in something you can't handle, I'll be there to pull you out!"

	Before Ranma could think of an appropriate comeback, Mrs. Tendo
called out. "Breakfast!"

	"Be right there!" The two fighters plummeted to the ground,
landing in the carp pond with a loud splash. A second later, a girl and
a panda emerged from the pool, with water dripping from their soaked
bodies into puddles on the ground.

	Ranma sighed. Pop had been hard to live with before, but he was
*really* full of himself now. If only someone else had made that last
wish to stop Kodachi. But then, no one else could've.

	"I gotta admit, Pop, I can't call you a stupid, useless panda
anymore," Ranma said.

	Pop grunted self-approvingly in response.

	"Yup." Ranma grinned. "Now I'll have to call you a stupid,
*occasionally useful* panda."

	Pop just snorted, and began stuffing his face with food. He
thrust a sign in front of Nabiki's face: *I wish for some soy sauce.*

	"Oh, please!" Nabiki rolled her eyes away from the panda,
handing over the sauce without looking.

	Ranma just sat and ate. Let the old man have his one moment of
glory, he thought; not like it was going to happen often. And it was
true that if not for Pop, he would probably have been Kodachi's slave
boy for life. Funny the difference a sign could make.

	"Hey, Ranma," Nabiki said. "Didn't you say that Kodachi had
gotten a lot of stock from various big companies?"

	"Um... yeah. What about it?"

	"Now that she's gone, what's happened to it?"

	"Dunno." Ranma shrugged, then returned to his meal.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	Deep within the basement of the Kuno mansion, a voice shouted
into the telephone. "You wen' heard me, brudda! I wan' dat logo t' be
gettin' replaced by a PINEAPPLE!"

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	"Here we are, dude."

	"Yeah." Ryoga skidded along the dirt road, coming to a stop
behind Ranma. Animals snorted nearby, and the distinctive odor of pig
feces filled the air. "Thanks for coming with me. But you didn't need
to. I have a perfect sense of direction now."

	"Hey, anything to get away from Pop while he's congratulating
himself." Ranma turned around. "Oh yeah, speaking of which...." He shook
Ryoga's hand. "I never got to tell you congratulations on your
engagement to Akari."

	"Oh, um... thanks." Ryoga smiled. Of course his marrying Akari
made Ranma happy; it meant that there wouldn't be any more competition
for Akane. But maybe that was for the best. It wasn't like Ryoga had
ever had much of a chance with her anyway. He only hoped they could
someday be friends.

	"See ya at the wedding, man. Akane'll be there too. She's mad
now, but I'm sure she'll get over it in time. And if you haven't already
got a Best Man and you need one, lemme know."

	"Thanks, Ranma." Ryoga gave him a friendly slap on the back.
"And how about you? Any wedding bells in your future?"

	"Yup." Ranma's face flushed a bit. "We haven't picked a date
yet, but Akane and me are definitely gonna do it. Keep that under your
bandanna for now, though, until the plans get finalized."

	"I can't say I'm surprised." Ryoga laughed. "Looks like the Best
Man won."

	"Heh. I think we both did. Seeya round, pal." Ranma bounded off
back toward Nerima. Ryoga stood watching for a moment, then walked along
the cobblestone path towards the house.

	All in all, things had worked out about as well as they possibly
could have. The curses that had been the twin banes of his existence
were both gone, and he was marrying a woman who adored him. She wasn't
the one for whom he had longed for so many years. Akari was nothing like
Akane. But she was wonderful in her own unique way, and he felt
incredibly lucky to know her. Finally, he was happy, and nothing could
spoil it.

	"Akari?" he called as he opened the door and stepped inside.

	"Ryoga?" Her voice quivered with excitement. "You're home!" She
rushed into the room.

	"Yeah. It was a tough fight, but we won. I--" He reached forward
to hug her, but bumped into something she was holding. "What--"

	"Isn't he adorable?" In Akari's arms lay a familiar black
piglet. "I've always wanted one this size. Look at him! He looks exactly
like the cursed form you used to have!"

	"That's-- that's--"

	Ryoga backed up, glaring at the pig. He could swear it was
leering at her. It turned its head toward him and stuck out its tongue.

	"Did you see what it did?!" Ryoga bellowed.

	"Oh, he's just an animal." Akari looked down at the pig, who had
returned to snuggling innocently against her chest. "You don't mind
getting your own dinner, do you, Ryoga? Mommy's got to get baby
something he can eat."

	Sighing, Ryoga stepped to the kitchen. This was going to be
*his* home. This little piggy wouldn't be staying -- not if he had
anything to say about it.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	A cool night breeze blew across the Tendo porch, running
invisible fingers through Ranma's hair. Stars gleamed like far away
diamonds in the blackened sky above.

	*Ahhh....* Akane's voice echoed lightly in Ranma's head. *This
is nice.*

	*Yeah,* Ranma responded. *Just what I was thinkin'.* Finally,
they could relax for a while. Kasumi had taken both Kodachi and the
wishing thingy away; wherever they were, they wouldn't be causing any
more trouble for him and Akane. For the moment, at least, there was
nothing to worry about.

	Except.... He strained his senses to the utmost, taking in all
of his surroundings. Something wasn't right. *Hey, Akane. Don't look
now, but... have you got something you can throw?*

	*Uh huh,* she telepathed back. *A rock about the size of a golf
ball. That good enough?*

	*Yeah. Perfect. I'm picturing a spot in my mind. Can you hit
it?*

	*Easily.* The rock flew from her hand to a location behind a
shrubbery. It struck with a thud, and a voice was heard.

	"Owwww! That hurt!"

	"Go to bed, Pop!" Ranma shouted. Pop stood and skulked off into
the house, followed in turn by Mr. Tendo and Nabiki.

	Akane breathed an exasperated sigh. "I don't BELIEVE them!"

	*Yeah, really! Can't we have a little peace and quiet once in a
while? If it ain't one thing, it's....*

	"Er... I hope I'm not disturbing you?"

	Ranma looked up. "Kasumi!" Akane exclaimed happily as she jumped
to her feet.

	"I just came to say goodbye." Kasumi smiled, though her eyes
were tinged with sadness. "I have to leave."

	"You really gotta go?" Ranma stood.

	"I'm afraid so." She nodded. "To the Spirit Plane." The wishing
locket hung from a thin chain around her neck.

	"Ya just missed everybody else." Ranma wished he could think of
something better to say. "If you'd gotten here earlier, you could've
said bye to everyone at once."

	"I am. I'm upstairs right now, too." She hugged Akane as Ranma
scratched his head. "I'll miss all of you so much!"

	"Same here, sis." Akane's eyes glistened with half-formed tears.
Ranma could feel her great sadness. She had just wished one parent back
to life. But Kasumi, in so many ways, had been her real mother for so
long. She'd done everything that a mother was supposed to -- so many
little things that were so easy to take for granted. Until it was time
for her to go.

	The mental link damped down. Akane whispered something that
Ranma couldn't hear. Then she pulled away from Kasumi, and Ranma could
once again feel her mind in his.

	"You be careful, okay?" Akane said. "I don't know anything about
the Spirit Plane, but it sounds like a dangerous place to be. I remember
stories from school about spirit-demons with hearts of ice, and things
like that."

	"Don't worry. I'll be okay." Kasumi looked over at Ranma.
Abruptly, a stream of water poured down out of nowhere onto his head.

	Ranma checked himself in the chest and elsewhere; he was now
female. "Why'd you do that?"

	"Because I want a goodbye hug, Ranma. That's not something a guy
would do, is it?" She gave a friendly laugh. "But if you're a woman,
it's all right!"

	"Heh. Okay." He reached forward into her warm embrace, holding
tightly for a few long moments. Then he pulled back. "Listen, before you
go... anything you could do to help Shampoo? She's having some pretty
hard times lately. I heard about the big Shishi Hokodan she pulled off.
You don't do those unless you're seriously messed up."

	"I've suspended her cat curse until after she gives birth.
She'll have her child safely. That's the best I can do for her right
now."

	"Thanks, Kasumi." Ranma wondered why she couldn't do more, then
decided that she had to know what she was doing. "Take care, and
congratulations on your 'promotion.'"

	"It's not a promotion, Ranma. That's what Kodachi didn't
understand. It's you who have the important job. You're actors in the
great play. I'm just a sort of stage hand."

	Ranma pondered what Kasumi had just said. He had never thought
of it that way before. It was certainly true that he liked being alive
-- all of the excitements and challenges that came with being a mere
mortal. There was also a lot of crap to put up with, but all in all, for
him it was a better than even trade.

	"Life is... difficult sometimes, I know. There are times coming
up that will be hard for everyone. But I have faith that you'll stick
together and make it through." Kasumi waved as she faded out, leaving
only a kettle of steaming water in her place. Ranma noted that it would
be the last time she would get one of those for him.

	"Saotome," a familiar voice called from behind them.

	Ranma placed a protective hand over Akane's instinctively.
Akane whirled around defensively, only to relax and smile sadly.  Ranma
sighed, almost wistfully.

	"I'd almost forgotten about you, Mousse," Akane said quietly.

	"Yeah." Ranma stared at the ethereal young man. "Hey, where's
that babe you were hanging out with? The one who looks like Shampoo?"

	Mousse laughed.  It was quiet, and almost bitter. "That was just
something the locket created, Ranma.  A figment of my imagination that I
chose to see for myself.  I loved Shampoo so much that I could even make
an exact copy to try to love in her place."

	"But, you wished to be able to see everything," Akane reminded
Mousse. 

	"I did." Mousse nodded solemnly and smiled sadly. "I most
definitely did, and I saw everything there was to be seen, and I could
see truth itself.  And I knew that the truth was that Shampoo could
never, and would never ever love me the way she so desperately loved
Ranma."

	"So how could you be fooled by that?"

	"I'd always seen the truth, Akane.  I simply chose to continue
believing in the lie I made up for myself. Like they say, 'There are
none so blind as those who will not see.'"

	"So what now?" Ranma asked.

	"I'm still here.  I'll always be here.  I'm everywhere and
nowhere, Ranma.  It takes a little getting used to, but I'll manage."

	"You're a 'stage hand,' like Kasumi said she was?"

	"I guess.  Of sorts.  I don't have any fancy powers like she
does. If you want to pursue the analogy, she handles props; I don't. I'm
more like someone who helps people remember their lines. A prompter."

	Mousse took a deep breath, odd since he was a spirit, but one
that seemed to fit.  He looked up at the moon and chuckled quietly,
sadly.

	"You should use that before the water gets cold," he chided.
"It would be a waste of a perfectly good parting gift."

	Ranma smiled ruefully. "Thanks for the prompt, buddy."

	Akane bent to pick up the water and paused a moment, searching
for words to say. "Mousse, I wish-- I hope you'll find happiness."

	Mousse closed his eyes, looking as if he wanted to shed the
tears he never would ever be able to again. Then, flashing a smile that
said that there was no more to say, he faded into nothingness.

	Akane took the kettle from the ground and poured it over Ranma,
turning him male. In a half-whisper she said, "Want to go upstairs?"

	Ranma followed. Life was going to get difficult already.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

	"Akane, I... I can't."

	"Okay." She pulled her hand out of his shirt, tucking it back
into his boxers. "Stay with me anyway?"

	"Yeah." He pulled her close, feeling the warmth of her body as
they lay snuggled together on the bed. Though this wasn't his room, he
had finally come home. And it was so good to be home.

	He wished he could do it with her. But every try brought back
memories of Kodachi, of being a puppet forced to dance on her strings.
He had to learn again how to think of it as making love and not rape.
That would take time.

	Through the mental link, he could feel how badly Akane wanted
it. Part of it was a possessiveness kind of thing -- like an animal
marking its territory. Kodachi had branded him, and she wanted to
replace that with her own mark.

	But she really did care. And she wasn't going to force or
pressure him into it, even though she probably could. She knew the right
buttons to push. She could challenge him to "sex-fu" or something like
that, and he'd likely end up going along with it. But that wasn't going
to happen.

	Yes, she would wait until he was ready. And sooner or later, he
would be. But for now, as they held on to each other both mentally and
physically, they were content just to be together.



END NOTES:

	This project began as a one shot fic called (True) Heart's
Desire, which had Akane making a wish. Some of us were sitting on the
FFIRC channel trying to think of a group project to do, when the idea
for this project occurred to us. Each of the writers picked a different
character to write about, and we worked out an order in which we would
write our sections. The only restriction was that a wish could not
directly negate a previously made wish, and the only guideline given to
writers was that they should try to be considerate of others.

	It's been a long while, and we've had more than our share of
troubles. Some writers dropped out of the collaboration, and others took
extremely long amounts of time to write their contributions. The writer
who was supposed to do the conclusion turned his talents away from
fanfiction. But despite all that, a year and a half later, it's now
finished.

	We'd all like to know your opinions -- good, bad, or mixed -- on
this work; please C&C to the FFML, or to <kleppe@execpc.com>. Also,
visit us on the FFIRC channel. It's IRC server irc.newberry.edu, on
channel #fanfic. You can also access it via a Java-capable web browser,
at <http://irc.newberry.edu:8080>.


CREDITS:

Chapter 1: Akane Tendo - True Heart's Desire by Thomas Schmidt
<tmschm@MAIL.WM.EDU>.

Chapter 2: Ryoga Hibiki - Lucky Day by Gary Kleppe <kleppe@execpc.com>.

Chapter 3: Hikaru Gosunkugi - A Sorcerer's Dream by Sean Hayden
<shaden@mediaone.net>.

Chapter 4: Mousse - Clear Sight by Ethan Tsai
<racerx@asuka.otaking.org>.

Chapter 5: Shampoo - When You Wish by Ronny Hedin
<thark@hem2.passagen.se>.

Chapter 6: Ranma Saotome - Sacrifices Must Be Made by David A. Tatum
<desaix@sysnet.net>.

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Nabiki Tendo - Unforseen Consequences by Ken
Arromdee <arromdee@inetnow.net>.

Chapter 8:  Ukyo Kuonji - Third Step by TJ Hamilton
<ryougaecho@abraxis.com>.

Chapter 9:  Nodoka Saotome - A Mother's Love by Donny Cheng
<chengdo@home.com>.

Chapter 10:  Kodachi Kuno - Ohohohohoho My Goddess! by Gary Kleppe.

Chapter 11: ????? - The Final Wish by Gary Kleppe and Ethan Tsai


Project Coordinators: Thomas Schmidt, Gary Kleppe

Project Editor: Gary Kleppe (with thanks to everybody else who helped
out)

FFIRC Coordinator: TJ Hamilton