Hi.
    Well, here's the next chapter.  Hope you like it.  As always, C&C
is much appreciated. 
    Previous parts and artwork can be found at:

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Bay/5671/

-------------------
Note: Ranma 1/2 is the creation of the incomparable Rumiko Takahashi.
-------------------

LoveSpell
by Anna Lvovsky

Chapter III:  At First Sight
****************************

How many times I've tried to say
But never would you hear
Would never listen to the words
While I held back in fear
You always thought of him, my love
And never thought of me
And though I sense it, I hope that    
It's me who cannot see
Hope that beyond your friendly smiles
Lurks more than friendship there
That you may feel like me and you 
To tell me cannot dare
But with the winds my hopes depart;
Are never here to be
And with each painful gust, each breeze,
Is lost a part of me
I see it, feel it, day by day
Away my soul does fly
And every day I live, I breathe,
With my pretense, my lie
I cannot stand it longer, so
I must be sure you know,
You understand with all your heart,
You know I love you so...
                              -Ryoga

----------------------------

   Ryoga moaned and gazed into a pair of shining brown eyes, looking
out from a radiant face outlined by short dark hair. The bright sun
created a halo around the form.

   His eyes closed.  *Oh, Akane.  Soon we will rescue you, and I will
be able to see you in real life, not in dreams as now.  Be patient; I'm
coming.*

   Ryoga fought his desire to stay dreaming and willed himself awake.

   The same sight of bliss greeted him.

   "P-chan! You're awake!"

   Ryoga felt a wave of ecstasy pass through him as Akane swept him up
and hugged him, her joyful laughter echoing through the room.  

   As Akane loosened her grip, he became aware of another presence in
the room.  A man looking slightly older than them stood close by, 
beaming contentedly.

   "Oh, Keita."  Akane set the piglet down and rushed to him, throwing
her arms around him as Keita welcomed her with an embrace.  "Thank you,
thank you!"

   Keita laughed happily. "No problem.  I'm glad you're happy."

   Ryoga's eyes narrowed in anger and resentfulness as his heart sank
in a river of despair.  This was worse.  Akane was being friendly,
*too* friendly, with this guy.  Only his rational thought about
upsetting Akane kept him from attacking Keita in his all-too-familiar
manner with Ranma.

   Akane came back to the bed and picked up P-chan again.  Then she
turned back to Keita.  "Thank you," she repeated, more quietly. 
"You've done so much for me, I-I just feel I'm being ungrateful."

   "Don't feel like that.  I really don't mind, and, to tell you the
truth, before you came, it wasn't all that interesting here."

   Akane smiled, relieved.  "Oh, good."  She paused.  "So are we on for
that sparring match?"

   "Sure.  I'll meet you in the dojo in half an hour, okay?"

   "Uh-huh."  Akane turned to P-chan as Keita left.  "You must have
been lonely!" She sat on the bed, still holding the piglet in her
hands, and lowered her voice.  "So, what do you think of Keita?  He's
really nice, and I somehow feel comfortable in his presence.  Quite a
change from the boys back home, don't you think?"

   Ryoga forced up a smile and nodded as his perspective on the
situation and his actions changed.  First on the list, Akane would
remembered Ranma. He'd go through the dimensions searching for a spell
himself, if that's what it took.  With Ranma, she wasn't quite
so...*aware* of her feelings.

   Akane's eyes widened and she straightened up quickly. "Oh, I forgot!
 I'm sorry, Sweetie, you must be so confused!  To begin with, Keita
brought you here because he was afraid that I was lonely.  You don't
mind, do you?  I mean, we thought you wouldn't because you aren't very
good friends with my sisters and there's nobody to pay attention to you
there.  Well, anyway, the draw-back is that we will probably have to
wait a whole year before we can get back.  I hope that you'll start to
feel as at-home here as I."

   Ryoga nodded sincerely, glad to have the situation explained to him.
 But a year?  There was no way that he was going to remain a pig for a
whole year.  *We'll see about that.  I'll get us back home in no time.*

   His eyes widened suddenly as he remembered a thing he had neglected
so far.  The scroll Cologne had thrown at him.  Where was it?  Ryoga
strained his memory, trying to recall its present whereabouts.  He
remembered the light, and then everybody disappeared.  His surrounding
had turned a blinding white and the last thing he saw before losing
consciousness was...a dark room.  He was lying on a wooden surface, a
table.  There was a man, this same Keita, in fact.  And all around them
were...books.  A vast expanse of thick, ancient tomes.

   A library, obviously.  He would have to change back and look for one
while Akane was distracted.  Which she probably would be, unfortunately
in a sense.

   Ryoga sighed quietly.  This would be harder than it seemed.  He
could hardly find his way around the Tendo's house, let alone a strange
mansion.

   And the scroll.  There was little chance of finding it.  But he had
to.  From Cologne's expression after she threw it, a look of hope and
worry, it seemed important.

   And how would he, the "Eternal Lost Boy," find it?

----------------------------

   "What?!  I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"  Nabiki stared Cologne,
dismayed, her expression mirrored by the entire group.

   "What you heard is correct."

   Mousse looked at her, frowning.  "Another one?"

   The old Amazon nodded, her wrinkled face grim.

   "But Great-Grandmother!  We defeat all akurei on way here.  Why have
to fight another one?"

   "Oh, we may have defeated the guardians of the valley, Child, but
this is different.  What we will face now protects not the valley, but
the Chushin-no-Maho itself.  If we defeat it, then we are fit to use
it.  If not...then I'm afraid that we won't get a chance to regret it."

   Ranma smiled, unconcerned.  "Hey, if he's anything like the others,
than he won't be much of a problem."

   "Do not underestimate this demon, Future-Son-In-Law.  He is probably
one of the strongest martial artists that you have ever faced.  If we
are not fit, with all of us combined he will be a match."

   Mousse's eyes narrowed.  "If we are not good enough."

   "Though I doubt it, there is that chance."

   "That good, huh?"  Ukyo's face was filled with concern and dread.

   Nabiki expression was dry.  "When is this �guard' going to be here,
then?"

   "Soon, I'm afraid.  Very soon.  He might well appear at the moment."

   "Ah, Nabiki?" Ukyo looked at her, reluctant.  "Well, no offense, but
before this thing comes, can you get out of the way?"

   Nabiki nodded.  "Good point.  Kuno here will be tripping everybody
up enough without me in the way."

   Ranma looked up suddenly.  "Hey, did you guys feel that?"

   "Do you think he's already here, Ranchan?"

   "If he's not, then what's that?!"

   A dark fog developed in the air, to clear a moment later.  As it
completely dissipated, a tall form was left, standing confidently
amidst the trees, its dark semblance seeming no different from any of
the other demons.

   Ranma lifted an eyebrow.  "Well, he don't look like much."

   Shampoo looked back to Cologne.  "Only one here fight?  Or all?"

   "Only one, Child.  It is if that chosen champion doesn't win, that
all of us are in danger."

   Ranma smirked confidently.  "Oh, please!  Hey! I'll fight you!"

   The monster's lips formed into what looked like a smile.  With
unexpected speed, it charged to where he was standing.  A powerful fist
swung around.

   But Ranma wasn't there.  He had jumped up and now came down on the
demon with a kick.  

   It blocked and hurled him toward a jagged group of rocks.  

   Ranma adjusted his body, and, kicking off the rocks' surface, spun
through the air to land on his feet.  The akurei attacked with a series
of punches.

    Ranma ducked, and, standing on his hands, lifted his leg past the
demon's chin.

   The monster staggered back from the innumerable unseen blows.

   Ukyo's whispers, followed by Cologne's words, quietly reached
Ranma's ears.

   "Does this mean that we're fit?"

   "There is little doubt that we are not, but this fight will not end
this easily."

   Ranma turned his attention back to the fight and attacked, his
punches and kicks flying at his enemy.

   The monster blocked most blows.  *The ghoul was right! He is getting
better!*

   Suddenly, the demon's fists gained speed, his assault on Ranma
continuing. 

   Ranma blocked the punches with ease.  *Still.  He's not that good.* 


   He continued his own assault, using the chestnut fist. Several
connected, enough to send the akurei back, but not sufficient to end
the fight.  Ranma focused, gathered his strength, and rounded his
hands.  Steadily, a glowing ball of ki appeared, and started enlarging.

   Ranma looked up see the demon charging him.  He lifted his arms and
pushed his palms into its chest.  "Mouko Takabishiya!!!"

   Weakly, the monster took a few steps back.  "V-Very well," it said,
its grating voice strained.  "You may pass."

   Ranma smiled, triumphantly.

   With difficulty, the akurei turned its chilling gaze to him.   "Do
not be so happy.  Zangitokun is not done with you yet..."  The demon
faded out slowly, the air turning cold.

   Ranma looked at Cologne.  "Who the heck is this �Zangitokun' guy?"

   The Amazon's voice was heavy, although she was obviously relieved. 
"I do not know.  Perhaps the demon's creator."

   "Well, he comes here, and I'll take care of him, too.  Anything to
get to that spring.  I guess we'll be there in no time." 

   "Don't you worry Ranma."  Nabiki dropped her things.  "We'll get
there soon enough."  

----------------------------

   Akane sat beside Keita on the cool wooden floor of the dojo,
breathing deeply.  P-chan sat in-between them, looking at her.  She had
just finished sparring with Keita, losing, of course, but she noted
that it was a fairer match than before he had started helping her. 
Probably because he easily spotted her mistakes and corrected them.

   Keita glanced over.  "If I may ask," he said, reaching over and
picking the piglet up to hold it in front of him, "Where'd you get the
pig?"

   "Oh, P-chan?  He just appeared in my room one day.  Coincidentally,
right after..."

   She paused, and Keita noticed the flicker once again.  

   "Right after my friend Ryoga went away, because it started raining. 
Actually, he wasn't my friend then, and part of the reason he left was
because I hit him on the head with a weight."  She paused and quickly
added,  "But it wasn't on purpose!  I thought he was a prowler. 
Anyway, P-chan had a large bump the back of his head, and I gave him
medicine.  And he was just so cute and obedient that I had to keep
him."

   Keita's eyes narrowed slightly, but he let the coincidence go.  If
Akane didn't find it strange, then he shouldn't. And probably, the pig
got the bump from something else.  It was dangerous for something as
small and helpless looking as him to be walking around the neighborhood
by itself.  "A bump?"

   Akane nodded.  "He probably got hit in my room.  You see, he was
jumping around to avoid me, and then he finally flew straight at me. 
I'm afraid that I gave it to him when I blocked."

   "Oh."  Keita shook off the thought and returned his attention to her
prior words.  "Obedient?  Really?"  He set the pig down on the parquet.
 "Sit."

   Akane laughed.  "Not that kind of obedient.  He understands
difficult commands.  Really, it's as if he knows how to speak."

   "Really," he repeated, stifling the irrepressible feeling of
suspicion.

   "Yeah.  Hey, do you want to practice the Point of Destruction?"

   "Okay.  But, uh, is P-chan safe here?"

   "I didn't think of that.  He can usually protect himself, but I
don't want to risk hitting him by mistake."  She turned to the pig. 
"P-chan, go wait in my room, okay?  You're probably tired.  I hope you
don't mind leaving."

   Ryoga shook his head and walked away, to the fading sound of Akane's
proud, "See?"

   This was the perfect excuse.  She wouldn't be looking for him for a
few hours, most likely.

   Ryoga concentrated, trusting on his memory of the route, which was
unreliable at best.  A right turn, then straight... No, that was the
way *to* the dojo.  He had to reverse the turns.  Ryoga turned,
following his route back to the dojo.

   It wasn't there.  *Oh, great, where am I now?!*

   Ryoga clenched his fists as anger and frustration flowed through
him.  Or rather, he tried to clench his fists, but they weren't there.

   He squealed, experiencing a fresh dose of frustration, and headed
for the closest door in sight.  It was large and decorous, much like
Akane's, and heavy, but Ryoga's anger gave him energy.

   He crawled through the opening he had pushed and looked around.

   It was a bedroom, with a familiar silk outfit laying on the bed. 
Keita's room, from the looks of it.

   Ryoga looked around thankfully as frustration left and common sense
was restored.  He had forgotten about his clothes.  In this room, he
could borrow some of Keita's.  

   Ryoga walked around, poking his nose into different doors until he
found the bath.

   In moments, he emerged, walking to a closet in his natural form.  He
quickly chose a plain outfit and donned it.

   Ryoga stood, looking down at himself.  *I just hope that I don't
_look_ as stupid as I feel!  How can he wear this stuff?!*

   He exited, walking to the closest door.  It was old and decorative,
appearing like one that could belong to a...  Ryoga shook his head,
trying not to get his hopes up.   

   He slowly pushed the door open and looked into a long bright hall
of...books. 

   Ryoga looked around, pushing down the urge to shout in joy. 
*I...found it!  Oh, it must be love, Akane, that lends me luck.*

   He walked quietly to the back of the room, glancing around.  It was
different from the front of the library, from the whole castle.  Dark,
desolate, lonely.  Lit up only by an old fashioned lamp, flickering on
the table.  Increasingly complex books filled the shelves.  Yes, it
looked like the same place as in his memory.  

   Ryoga placed his hand on the wooden table, his eyes slowly reading
the page of an open tome.  The writing was old and complicated, but
Ryoga made out a key word.  "...Conjuring..."

   This was it!  The exact place where the scroll must have been left. 


   He searched the room, circling the table.

   Mere darkness.  *It has to be here somewhere!  Just keep looking!*

   Nothing.  Nothing on the table, the floor, the shelves.

   Ryoga's mind searched frantically for an explanation.  *It probably
just rolled closer to the door.

   He turned around, about to walk away, when something caught his eye.
 A dark corner, sheer black.  Through the darkness peaked a light
material, a parchment.

   Ryoga walked slowly toward it picked the paper up in his hand.  It
looked like the one Cologne had thrown him.

   He unrolled the scroll, scanning the writing.  It was
about...summoning through dimensions!  

   Ryoga walked over to the table and sat down, not taking his eyes off
the paper.  

   As his eyes moved up and down with the writing, Ryoga felt a spark
of hope ignite.  This was the key!  Soon, Cologne would be here! She'd
know get Akane back!

   Ryoga smiled triumphantly.  

   Soon Akane would be back for sure!

----------------------------

   Nabiki sat beside her things, the entire group sitting near her with
their tents and baggage packed up. 

   Ranma looked up with an exasperated sigh.  "Oh, geez, that idiot
will *not* be smart enough to think of using that scroll.  Have you any
idea how thick he is?!"

   Cologne glanced at him.  "Be patient, Son-In-Law.  I have a feeling
something will happen, soon."

   "You evidently don't have experience with that pig-headed fool!" 
Ukyo frowned.  "I don't know about your hunch, but I think we're gonna
be waiting here for a long time."

   "What else can do?" Shampoo asked rhetorically.  

   "That's right." Mousse, sitting beside her, nodded agreement.  "I
agree this might be a long-shot, but it's our only chance.  It works,
or it doesn't; double or nothing."

   "Yeah, whatever." Ranma rolled his eyes.  "I, for one, don't like to
leave something like this up to that fool.  I mean, not only is he
completely clueless about magic and stuff, but he's got no sense of
direction.  He's probably miles from the scroll now.  It's not like he
can carry it or nuthin', in his state."

   Nabiki gazed at him flatly.  "And I suppose you could do better?"

   Ranma frowned at her.  "Yeah, I could."

   "Canst not thou miscreants be quiet?  I am *trying* to meditate! 
Ah, fair, brave Akane Tendo!  Truly, thou art a pure angel  to go
through this. Be not impatient, my beloved, for soon thou shalt be here
with me again!"

   Ranma cast him a quick glance.  "*What* is that idiot babbling about
now?!"

   "Quiet, you coward!  Canst thou be a man?  An impetuous brute who
but complains, and faces not the sun as it burns down upon the ground! 
At least leave us true men alone!"

   Kuno closed his eyes, his legs crossed, and continued to ignore the
group as each looked at him through lowered eyelids.

   "He's so pathetic, I don't even want to waste my strength."  

   Nabiki looked at him.  "And besides, Ranma, we have to be conscious
for the spell."

   Cologne's head suddenly snapped up, alert.  "Quickly, hold on to
your things!"

   Nabiki slid her hand through the strap of her bag as she felt it.  

   A strange radiance passed through her.  Suddenly, the scene around
her disappeared, replaced by a damp darkness, the faint sound of a
far-away thunder echoing through the gloom.

   The darkness ended in a split-second, and Nabiki found herself in a
dim room, falling to the cold floor from her sitting position.  Around
her, everybody but Cologne were getting up from their own falls.

   The Amazon stood on her  staff, looking around the room, which
appeared to be a library.  Ryoga stood a few meters away from the rest
of the group, dressed in peculiar clothing.  He was staring at them in
awe, as if he had been expecting the spell not to work.

   "You idiot!  Had that not been for Akane, I would be impelled to
erase this slight against me, but since your line of breed knows no
better, I shall save myself the time."

   Ryoga blinked and shook his head, getting his mind back to focus on
the situation, ignoring Kuno, or not hearing him.

   Nabiki got up, the pain from the fall throbbing mildly.  "Ryoga,
couldn't you have been more careful?!  You *could* have given us more
warning, you know!"

   Ryoga glanced at her sharply, too proud of his achievement to work
up real anger.  "At least I got us here!"

   Nabiki shrugged off his irritation.  "So what's the situation?"

   Ryoga paused before answering.  "Bad.  There's this other guy,
Keita, here, and they seem to be, uh, fast friends."

   She nodded.  "I see.  And I take those are *his* clothes?"  Nabiki
tried to keep a straight face, but her amusement was clear despite her
attempts.

   He frowned.  "Hey," he replied defensively, "My stuff was left at
camp!  What was I supposed to do, walk around here naked?!"

   "Well, we certainly wouldn't want that," she said, her eyes widening
mockingly, but she stopped her teasing.

   "Here."  Ranma tossed a couple of bags to Ryoga, making the heavy
load appear light.  

   As he opened his mouth, Kuno spoke up, his eyes wide in horror,
indignity, and shock.  "�Fast friends' with Akane Tendo?!  What a
travesty of justice!  I, Tatewaki  Kuno, shall not allow it!  How can
you have let this to continue, you ruffian?!  Truly, am I the only one
here who can accomplish what so obviously needs to be done?"

   *bang!*

   "Nope."  Ryoga lifted his head, his free arm relaxing away from
Kuno's head.  "Anyway, it's not that easy."

    "I have no idea where this Keita fits in," Ranma said, taking his
eyes off Kuno's frozen but standing figure, "but where's the spring?" 

   "I, uh, haven't found it yet."

   "Ah, well, it figures.  Little P-chan never was good with
directions."

   "Hey, shut up!  I bet you wouldn't have been able to find it!"

   Nabiki snapped her glance to Ranma.  P-chan?  If Ranma didn't
remember Akane, why would he remember the name she gave a pig?  Her
eyes widened in mild interest.  A constantly practiced phrase.  A
reflex, coming naturally.  In fact, as she watched his face, Ranma
assumed a momentarily confused expression at his words, only to be
pushed off an instant later.

   "Hmm.  I guess I'll just have to go find it myself."

   Ryoga glanced at Ranma, his gaze hard.  Finally, his voice barely
audible, he murmured,  "Yeah, I bet you will."

   "What?"

   "Nothing."  He looked down at the bags in his hands.  "I'll be right
back, okay?"  As he finished the words, Ryoga rounded a corner.

   "What now?"  Shampoo looked at Nabiki, her head cocked
inquisitively.

   "I don't know.  I guess we'll just have to search for Akane.  Unless
another spell has been cast, she should still remember us.  I'm sure
she'd rather go home than remain here."

   Mousse came up behind Shampoo.  "What if a supplementary enchantment
*has* been set on her?"

   Nabiki was looking at the table over Cologne's shoulder when she
looked up.  "Well here's a tome, with what looks like spells in it. 
Perhaps we can find the reverse spell.  The important thing is not to
hurry."

   "That is correct." Cologne also looked up.  "And if the spell is not
here, you may notice that the whole library is filled with magic books.
 But if we are hasty, the sorcerer will become suspicious."

   Nabiki turned her head to Ryoga as he returned, dressed in his
normal clothes.  "So don't rush around destroying things, understand,
Ryoga?"

   "I heard you."

   Ranma frowned, his brow furrowed.  "What are you talking about?!"

   Nabiki glanced at him.  "Nothing.  We're just figuring out how to
find...what we came here for."

    "The spring isn't protected by any sorcerers, is it?"

   "Oh, no.  This is just in case we meet anyone here."

   "Whatever.  I just want to find the spring, and soon.  It seems to
me that whenever I seem close to finding it, you guys tell me about
another obstacle."

   "Oh, don't worry.  We'll be there in no time."

----------------------------

   Akane blinked her eyes.  As they opened, thick vapor the color of
dark, dull violet shot violently though the air.  She glanced at her
hand, extended, her staff pointing to the center of the clearing fog.

   "Very good.   You've got it down to a second."

   "Thanks, Keita."

   "But when you're really fighting someone, your concentration won't
come as easily, so be careful."

   "I will."  Akane looked back to where, mere moments ago, a magically
crafted inanimate dummy had stood, and pulled her hand in, the tip of
the staff on the floor.

   "I guess that's enough practice for now.  Let's take a break, okay?"

   "Sure.  Maybe we can  go for a walk outside."

   "Okay.  I'll meet you in your room in fifteen minutes?"

   "Uh-hmm."  

   Akane walked toward the exit, followed by Keita.  As the heavy door
thudded to a close, she turned a corner, and coming to the next door in
the hall, entered her room.  

   Akane braced her staff against her bed and changed into her outfit
of velvet black pants and the silken, gi-based blouse.

   "P-chan, where are you?  P-chan!"

   Akane scanned the room for her pet.  "Oh, honestly," she muttered
through her teeth.  "...has probably been bullying him again."

   She stiffened at her words.  *What...why did I say that?  And who--*

   A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

   Akane glanced over to the bed and picked up her staff.  "Come in." 

   As she turned back around, Keita's form appeared in the doorway.  

   Keita... he really made it easier for her to be separated from her
family.  
 
   She smiled, but her lips converted to a puzzled frown as her vision
clouded and the figure began to change shape.  Fluidly, subtly, it
formed into a strange pig-tailed boy, slightly shorter, clad in a
Chinese red shirt and dark pants.  The boy was handsome, with thick
black hair, his misty blue eyes confident.  Somehow, he seemed
oddly...familiar. As the scene cleared, she saw the boy was not alone. 
A raven-haired girl stood next to him, pretty, in a silken dress.  She
slid her delicate hand across the boy's cheek, and then she, too, began
to change.  Her hair shortened, tightened into a braid and turned a
fiery red.  Her dusky emerald eyes cleared to a bright blue.  Her
features and figure metamorphed until Akane was sure she had known this
petite, buxom girl as well.  But how...

   Abruptly, a new change took place.  With confusing rapidness, the
girl grew taller. Her hair broke loose and tumbled to her tiny waist in
a mass of violet strands.  All of a sudden it was Shampoo about to kiss
the boy, her long-lashed eyes closed, her lips pursed.  He faced her,
his blue eyes shining brightly...

   Akane jumped forward with great speed, and knocked the boy to the
floor with her staff. For some unknown reason, there was no *way* she
was letting them kiss.  The boy quickly scrambled up, confused,
and...as the familiar walls of her room dimmed into view, she saw that
it was only Keita after all.

   "Akane..."

   "Oh, Keita, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, embarrassed.  "I don't
know what came over me.  I saw a vision..."

   Keita frowned.  "A vision... " Then, almost grudgingly, his face
cleared.  "Don't worry, Akane.  It's probably from your homesickness. 
I'm sorry if you feel so uncomfortable here.  As soon as I find a
spell, I will tell you about it."

   "Oh, no, it's not that!  Please, I'm very happy here."

   He smiled, obviously relieved.  "Good."

   "Let's go."  Akane slid her staff through a series of unnoticeable
straps on the back of her shirt by force of habit.  She pushed at it,
making sure it was tight; she somehow felt safer with it.

   She quickly turned her head to Keita as he spoke up.  

   "Akane, I...have something to...to talk to you about."

   "What is it?  Is something wrong?"

   "Oh, no.  It's nothing like that.  Uh, well, what do you think of
here?"

   "Here?  Oh, Keita, it's like a second home!  I've never felt so
comfortable away from the dojo."

   "Well," he looked down uncomfortably, "Well, how would you
feel...about staying here..."

   "Staying...here?"  Akane didn't move, befuddled and surprised. 

   "Stay here...with me."

   Akane understood.  "Keita, but I..."  But what?  What was her
feeling?  If anything, it had to be...love.  *No, I'm sorry, but I
can't.  I don't love you.*  It came to her mind.  But she didn't,
couldn't say it.  It wasn't true.  Everything was just so...confusing. 
She had never trusted boys before, never even had close friends.  Keita
*was* such a friend, and more.  Back at home, she never saw boys as
anything to get excited about, but with Keita it was...different.  She
felt safe with him, and for the first time in a long while, she didn't
feel at all lonely.  Her sisters were very good friends, but she had
always been...different from everybody.  "Keita, I'll have to think
about it.  I don't think I'm ready, but..."

   Keita replied quickly.  "I understand.  Take your time.  And, Akane,
don't worry.  Try to forget we ever had this conversation.  I don't
want to pressure you into anything."

   "So." Akane forced her gaze up.  "Do you still want..."

   "Of course.  Let's go." 

   The door slowly slid shut, their fading voices echoing quietly
through the hall.

----------------------------

   Nabiki walked quietly through the wide hall, Mousse, Kuno, and Ranma
around her.  Ryoga and Ukyo were searching the castle separately, as
were Cologne and Shampoo.  It seemed the two didn't like working with
company.   And there was no reason not to trust them.

   "How the heck is this gonna help us find the spring?"  Ranma was
staring at her, a defying expression on his face

   She cast him a stern look.  "I know what I'm doing.  Just do what I
say, and everything will be fine.  And keep quiet!"

   "Akane Tendo... O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!  It
seems she hangs upon the cheek of night--"

   Nabiki cut him of with a freezing stare.  "You, too, Romeo."

   "Hmm.  What an idiot.  I mean, really, Kuno.  Making up a girl?"
 
   "Silence, wretch.  Your ignorance I do begin to pity.  Do not play
dumb, you cursed burr!  You have the favour of Akane Tendo's sire, and
yet ignore her.  Now you have taken it too far.  To pretend not to know
one of such!  Miscreant!  Thou already has the pig-tailed girl under
thy control!  I *shall* take her from you!  And when I do rescue my
love, she--"

   "Oh, enough!  I'd rather not hear any more of your twisted
fantasies!"

   "I twisted?  I twisted?!  It is thy disgusting--"

   Ranma glared at him, his voice low. "Hey, I'm not the one pretending
that someone's in love with me!  Do you want to know what your
�pig-tailed girl' really thinks?  Well, here's what she told me!  How
did it go...oh, yeah!  I believe it was along the lines of complete
disgust.  Don't you worry!  As long as I'm me and you're you, you're
gonna be as far away from her as I can get you!"

   Kuno's eyes widened and his face paled with panic and anger.  Wary
of Nabiki's warning, however, his voice kept quiet.  To a moderate
degree. "Disgust?  Ah, truly your lies do not pass!  My Venus would say
not!  You fool only yourself, Saotome.  Away from my love?! Never!"

   Nabiki walked stiffly down the hall in front of the two, her jaw
clenched.

   Mousse rolled his eyes beside her.  "Would you believe those idiots?
 We're not going to find anyone if they do not sustain reticence."

   Nabiki tilted her head to him, her pace slowing.  "Why did you come
on this trip?  You seem to care a lot about our goal's completion."

   Mousse, his gaze hardening with determination, uttered only one
word.  "Shampoo."  It was all that was needed.

   "Did you hear that?"

   Nabiki quickly glanced once again at Mousse.  "What?"

   "Footsteps."

   "The...?"

   Mousse understood her meaning.  "Yes."

   Nabiki turned to the bickering half of the group.  "Quiet! 
Someone's coming."

   The four edged close to the right wall as the hall came to an
intersection, glancing around the corner.  Two voices came from another
turn, one very familiar.

   "...had to fight them *every* day."

   "You're kidding!  Every day?  Before school?  And how did that end?"

   "Well, when my Dad picked my fianc�, he...Wait a minute!  What am I
talking about?  The so-called �fianc�' didn't even come yet!  I'm
sorry, I think I'm just tired."

   "Oh, if you're tired you should go rest.  I mean, we did train for
about six hours straight."

   "No, it's okay."

   "You sure?"

   "Yes."

   Suddenly a murmur sounded, growing louder.  As a new voice appeared,
Nabiki winced, recognizing it.

   "Aiya!"  Shampoo's triumphant voice echoed mildly through the
hallways.

   Akane's gasp was heard, and the strange voice vibrated through the
air.

   "What the--?  Who?"

   "Now!  He's caught off!"

Nabiki spun around too late to see Ranma lunge for the corner.  "No,
Ranma, don't--"

   It wouldn't stop him.  Who knew what he was going to do now!

   *Oh, we should never had gotten him so excited about the spring!* 

   "No!  Ranma!"  Nabiki ran after him, followed by Mousse and Kuno.

   No reply came as Ranma reached the group.  Shampoo and Cologne were
standing behind two surprised people.  An older boy, wearing silk
clothing, a slightly dismayed look on his face.  To the right a
strangely familiar girl reached his gaze...

   "Ranma, what are you doing?!" Nabiki was looking at him, aghast,
breathing deeply.

   Ranma didn't answer.  He was gazing intently at the girl as she
slowly turned her head around to lock her eyes with his.

   Everything changed.  The background, everybody's muffled whispers,
disappeared.  Only she remained.  The blinding, bright white background
outlined her face and eyes.  Her brown eyes, bright, placid. Filled
with courage, beauty, longing.  Ranma stared at them as a world of
memories flowed through his mind.  So many...

   Akane stood, frozen, staring ahead.  There was nothing, nothing
surrounding her.  Only an uncanny silence reached her ears.  Everything
was gone.  But him.  His eyes, blue.  Shining with bravery,
determination, will...  Everything came back, slowly.  The engagement,
school...Ranma...

   Nabiki looked at them, her eyes wide.  No one around them  was
moving.  The sound of motion didn't echo through the air.  No one said
anything.  

   Akane was here.  They had found her.  It was so soon, it was almost
unbelievable.  But it was true.

   The silence drifted through the hall as everyone stood, their minds
blank at the development.  

   All but one.

   Keita leaned against the wall, his expression set, even as the tears
stung the backs of his eyes, even as his body was filled with cold,
hollowness, loneliness.  *No,* he whispered mentally.  *No!*  It wasn't
fair!  Not after all he had been through, not after he had been so
close.  Akane had almost agreed.  She would have, he knew, but...

   She had been so happy--happy being with *him*.  So much more happy
than... *No...* his mind repeated quietly, his head shaking slowly. 
This, this...he left off as his mind searched for an appropriate title,
even as he involuntary understood that it wasn't his fault.  This...boy
had brought nothing but misery to Akane, nothing but stifled hope,
unending disappointment, unfulfilled longing...

   And for what?

   <<Could it be...love?>> 

   Yasahari's subtle yet harsh words rang painfully in his mind.  

   Those eyes, inhuman, deep, swirling.  Full of chilling knowledge. 
Never had their information been wrong...never.

   Could Yasahari be right?  Could Akane...*love*...this boy?  Should
he just...leave her...forever?

   Keita shook his head curtly, his eyes drying, hardening, as a
current of will shot through him.  No.  Akane's feelings were strong
for *him* too--very strong.  Why should he...

   Perhaps he was being selfish.  But after he had decided on living
here, alone, by himself, he had matured quickly.  He had gone from
twelve to seventeen in one single step.  Responsibility, decisions,
dominion... And before that still, him prince of Yishuda.  He had given
up many things.  

   But not this.  His whole life he had had to think about how his
actions would affect others, what others preferred.  Not now.   Not on
this.  For once, he was not going to give up his own dream.  For once,
he was going to go after what *he* wanted.  Not Yishuda, not anyone. 
Just him and Akane.

   And this Ranma, this *rival*, wouldn't stand in the way.

   Keita looked at him, standing there, so confident, certain.  And
deep, deep inside himself, past all the grief, pain, hope, emptiness,
Keita felt a sure spark of hatred ignite, and burn evenly, cruelly, in
a cold, steady flame.

   "Saotome..."

   An angry growl emitted from the back of the group.

   Nabiki glanced back surprised.  Nobody had moved, said a word.   But
Kuno, his eyes narrowed in fury.

   "How dare..." Kuno suddenly strode forward, set with determination.

   *No, you idiot!*  Nabiki gasped.  If Kuno interfered, it might ruin
their chance of succeeding.  

   Nabiki thrust her arm out in an attempt to bar him as he passed her,
to no avail.  *Oh, no...*

   Nabiki's chagrin vanished as she saw that Kuno wasn't moving.

   "Don't worry.  He won't get past."

   Nabiki breathed out a relieved sigh as Mousse restrained Kuno from
proceeding.

   "Let me go, you miscreant," Kuno hissed.

   "Look, Kuno."  Nabiki's voice was low, quiet.  "Don't you even try
to take another step.  You do, and you'll regret it.  Don't you
understand what one mistake could do?"

   Kuno seethed, barely constraining himself.  "Only because this is
for Akane..."

   Mousse let him go, frowning.  *He is jeopardizing it all.* 

   Nabiki looked back to Ranma to see him blink abruptly. His
expression was...mixed.  Confusion, dismay, happiness, hope,
realization.  They shifted rapidly on his face.

   "A...Akane...?"

   "...R-Ranma?"

   There was a sad moan as Shampoo knelt in the corner, only her eyes
betraying emotion.

   Behind her, Nabiki saw Mousse clench his jaw and turn away sullenly.

   *Sorry, Mousse.* 

   "Oh, my love..." Kuno's whisper turned her attention back to where
Ranma stood, facing Akane, smiling hesitantly.

   "Akane..."  

   Suddenly, a miserable sob cut through the hall.  Nabiki snapped
around to see Ukyo turn and run off forlornly, a tear glistening in the
air.

   Nabiki paused, then hurried after her, followed by Ryoga, his face
pale, blank.

   She turned the corner.

   Ukyo was there, sobbing, hunched over, her head hanging down, her
brown hair covering her face, her outstretched hand pressed against the
wall.

   "Ukyo, are you okay?"

   She didn't answer, as if she didn't hear.  Finally she spoke up, her
voice hoarse, quiet.  "He really does love her, doesn't he?"

   Nabiki remained silent, her expression concerned, uneasy.

   "I love him, too... But, he never will, will he?  I love him,
but...but I also am his friend."  She bit her lip and lifted her face,
her eyes suppressing coming tears.  "Why didn't I see it...?  It was so
obvious...  I just didn't want to see."  She took a deep, shuddering
breath. Through the strands of hair shrouding her face, one shining,
hot tear dropped to the floor.

   Nabiki fidgeted, awkwardly.  She was happy for Akane, but Ukyo was
so disconsolate. Nabiki never expressed concern or sympathy, had no
idea what to do, but Ukyo was so in need of it now. She didn't even
know why she cared, yet... *Damn it,* she thought. *Why can't I...?* 

   Ukyo swallowed her sobs.  She brushed her long tresses away from her
face.  "I am...his friend.  And, as his friend...I want him to
be...happy.  So...I guess that I'll have to..."  He voice became
inaudible as she choked on tears.  "To...let him...go..."

   "Ukyo, stop--"

   "Oh, it's useless!  How happy can I be with him, if I know he loves
*her*?!"  She forced herself to calm down, and smiled bitterly through
the tears that wouldn't stop.  "It was just...a childhood crush. 
That's all."

   Ukyo wiped her brimming eyes with her hand and slowly got up. 
Looking hesitantly to the intersection, she strode back to group.

   "Ukyo--"  Nabiki, walking behind her, paused.  What could she say
that was sincere?  She wasn't sorry that Ranma didn't love her.   Not
when Akane loved him, anyway.  Still, what Ukyo was doing was kind,
admirable, and painful for her.  *Oh, why should I care. How did I know
that Ranma would only complicate this?*  

   Nabiki walked slowly to the corner and turned, leaving Ryoga
standing alone in the hall.

   He frowned thoughtfully.

   <<I am his friend.  And, as his friend, I want him to be happy.  So
I guess that I'll have to let him go...>>

   <<want him to be happy...>>

   <<to be happy...>>

   He loved Akane with all his heart.  And he had tried to leave
her...so many times.  So that she would be happy.  But he didn't.  And
could it be that it *would* have made her happy?

   <<I just didn't want to see.>>

   Didn't that describe it all?  Would Akane be happier with...Ranma?

   Ryoga shook his head, his eyes shut.  NO! Akane would never find
happiness with a jerk like Ranma!  He...was everything that was
unworthy of her.  Rude, ignorant, thoughtless.  How could she love him?


   And yet...could there be no chance of her ever loving *him*, Ryoga
Hibiki?

   No!  There was.  Life could not be so cruel as to deny him this.  If
he let himself believe that there was no hope for him...then his heart
would simply freeze, turn to fragile ice. Ice to be shattered by
Ranma's hand.

   No, there was chance for him.  And as soon as Akane was home, this
fool's truce with Ranma would abate.  Forever.

   Ryoga returned to where everybody was standing, his energy and
strength returning from the burning resentment of the situation.  Akane
was making introductions as she saw him.  

   "That's Ryoga, Keita. Ryoga, this is Keita."

   "Uh... hello."

   "Hi."  Keita gazed at him intently, his eyes narrowed.  *I knew
there was something...*

   Ranma looked at Nabiki.  "What happened to the spring?"

   "Really, Ranma, how stupid can you get?  There *is* none."

   "What?!"

   "I guess I overestimated you, after all.  You were crucial to
getting here, and since you didn't remember Akane, we had to make
something else up to motivate you to come.  So I told you about the
spring.  Now that you remember Akane, you do understand why."

   Ranma's eyes flashed anger.

   "Look," Nabiki said wearily.  "You might be worried about the
spring, but we were worried about Akane.  In this whole ordeal, your
desire matters nil.  Sorry."

   Ranma quelled his fury about being manipulated by them.  Instead,
disappointment set in.  "No spring...?"

   Akane turned on him, fists clenched.  "Well I'm happy that you're
glad to find me!  Thanks for being *worried*!"

   "Well, why should I have been worried?!  A mule like you can fend
for herself.  Besides, I didn't even remember you!"

   "Didn't remember me!"

   "You didn't remember *me*!"

   "Well, why should I remember a jerk like you!  Why should I even
*want* to rem--"

   "Well, why should *I* remember a non-cute tomboy like *you*?!

   "Oh, stop it, you pervert!  Honestly! Don't you--"

   "The tomboy rears her ugly head at last!"

   Akane didn't get a chance to respond as Ryoga leaped up in front of
her.  "Ranma!  How dare you talk that way to Akane!  You don't deserve
her, do you hear?!  You say anything like that again, and I'm going to
make you regret it."

   "Uh-huh.  Oh, really."

   "Don't you mock me!  Just because you've won most of our battles
doesn't mean..."

   "Ryoga--I've won *all* of our battles!"

   "You ha--"  

   Akane silenced him.   "It's okay, Ryoga."  She turned back to face
Ranma.  "Well, you know, I almost wish you never found me!  I was
perfectly fine here with Keita."

   "Keita?"  Ranma glanced at the older boy in mild dismay.  In a
moment his expression cleared.  "No offense, but you must be pretty
desperate to settle for someone like her."

   Keita focused, reading his aura.  Finally, he looked up.  "How long
can you go on denying it?" he asked with feigned indifference.

   "What?"

   "Nevermind."  This wasn't the time.  He turned to Akane, his
expression suddenly changing to that of hope, caution.  "You'll go back
now?"

   Akane fidgeted uncomfortably.  "I guess so."  She paused.  "I'm
sorry!  It *is* my home, and...I'm sorry. Will you come visit?"  

   He looked into her pleading face.  "Of course," he said sincerely. 
"And I am happy for you.  Really."  Keita sighed, although he did mean
it.  What good was it if Akane always longed for going home?  There
were other ways.

   Ranma turned to Cologne.  "Hey, when will we be going home?"

   "I do not see why not now, Future-Son-In-Law.  As soon as he," she
pointed at Ryoga, "will be ready to cast the spell again."

   "You mean I have to do it again?!"

 "Of course," Cologne answered. "You are the one who brought us here. 
You are the one with the mental link to our dimension."

   "Not much of a link, then, I gather."  Nabiki looked at the boy
dryly.

   "Hey!"

   "No, he has to do it.  Or else we can't get back.  The spell has to
be performed by him."

   As Ryoga brought the scroll out, Keita turned to him, and an idea
loomed.  It would be so easy.  Get rid of the scroll, or abolish the
boy's connection, and they wouldn't have the power to...

   Keita shook his head.  *No.  I wouldn't deign that low.*   Besides,
there were too many kinks, even if he were desperate or low enough to
try it.

   No, he couldn't make Akane stay here.  He couldn't afford to have
her stay here; too much was at risk.  He would come to her dimension
soon and stay there.  The other castle inhabitants would remain, of
course.

   Finally, he looked to the old woman named Cologne, swallowing his
irritation at the intrusion.  "I have to say that this doesn't make me
the happiest, but Akane has to go home.  The link Ryoga has to your
dimension will be strongest from the point where he cast the spell, so
you should go to where ever he first cast it.  And use my portal.  It
will insure you arrive at the right destination.  I don't want for
Akane, or any of you, to be in avoidable danger."

   Cologne's eyes narrowed.  "You know about magic, yes, boy?"

   "Uh-hm.  And don't distrust me.  I really wouldn't benefit from any
complications to you, and I *do* have a heart."

   She nodded grimly.  "Very well.  Then let's go."

   Before anyone could move, Kuno strode forth gallantly, his bokken in
his hands, his brow furrowed.

   "Here we go again,"  Nabiki muttered cynically.

   "Hark!  You have relations with Akane Tendo?  What right you to
this?  Do you not know that *I* am her knight?  *I* her love?  Come not
near her, or I shall make you sorry!"

   Keita looked at him through lowered eyelids before turning to Akane.
 "Who's that?"

   "Oh, that's Kuno," Akane said, a blush creeping up her neck.  "Most
of us have learned to ignore him.  I told you about him, remember?"
 
   "Oh, yeah.  The, uh...oh!  He's the...jerk who thinks you love him
and told all the guys they had to fight you before dating you?"

   "Yep.  That's the one."

   Kuno's frown deepened.  "What lies are these?  Akane Tendo didn't
say that!"

   Keita ignored him and turned to the others.  "Okay.  Let's go."

----------------------------

   Ryoga looked at the abundant greenery of the valley.  The sun was
setting, and the sound of the breeze echoed out the portal.

   "Are you sure you won't stay until morning?" Keita asked.  "I mean,
it is pretty late there."

   "It is all right," Cologne answered.  "If we leave soon, we should
be fine."  She turned to Ryoga.  "Are you ready, boy?  At this rate, we
will be getting home next week."

   "I'm ready.  Where's the scroll?"

   "Here is."  Shampoo handed him the scroll and stooped to pick up her
bags.  "What waiting for?  Let's go."

   As Ryoga took the scroll, Keita turned to Akane.  "Well, I hope you
get there okay.  I'll probably be coming to visit soon, but...there
might be complications.  Keep the staff, to remember me."

   "Thank you, Keita.  For everything.  It's been really nice, and I
can't wait for you to come see Nerima."

   Ryoga turned away, his jaw clenched.  This was no time to be getting
angry at Keita, or anyone.  Right now he had to focus on the spell. 
"Come on.  I'm going to start now."

   As the group gathered around, Ryoga began slowly reading the text. 
*Just concentrate and soon we'll be there.  In China.  On the valley. 
Focus on that.*

   The spell was starting.  He could feel it.  It seemed to seep into
him as he uttered the last syllable.

   "I'll miss you, Keita!"

   Ryoga's mind suddenly went blank at Akane's voice.   

   <<I'll miss you>>

   The words stabbed at his heart.  *Oh, Akane.  Will you ever feel
that way about me?  Akane.  Akane...*

   Something changed.  The manifestation of the spell was gone.  The
portal went blank.  

   Akane's frightened scream tore through the air.

  Ryoga felt his blood freeze as the awful feeling of deja vu coursed
through his veins.  

   "Akane!"  Ranma rushed up.

   Keita's eyes widened in panic.  "No!  Concentrate, Aka--"

   Akane suddenly disappeared.  No light, no smoke, no sound.  She was
just...gone.

   Ranma stood frozen, oblivious to the murmurs, words, people around
him as the sickeningly familiar feeling of fear and anguish surged
inside him.  *Damn it...not again!  No... Just...Don't worry, Akane. 
I'll find you.  I'll find you...* 

----------------------------

    A mountain stood in the distance, far across the vast acres of
grass.  Blooming trees were scattered through the plain, the mild
breeze rustling their foliage.  

   Akane looked around, her mind spinning, as the warm wind tugged at
her hair.  Chill surging through her despite the warmth, she slowly sat
down on a rock, wrapping her hands around herself to fight the cold.  

   *What is this?  _Where_ is this?  Where's Ranma, and Keita...?*

   The dimension spell.  But how had she been caught in this?  This
wasn't China, it wasn't the valley they had told her about...this was
nowhere.

   *Just wait here.  Don't move from this spot, and everything will be
okay.*

   Akane looked down, fighting a sudden urge to cry.  Usually, she
would have looked around, found out a way to reverse this, to go back
to the warm halls that she had grown so used to in the past days.   But
not this time.  Keita had warned her about the other dimensions.  They
were dangerous.  She would only get herself into more trouble.

   So Akane just sat perfectly still, the sun shining down with shadow
in her eyes.  And in her mind grew loneliness.  Sadness.  Weariness. 
And fear.  It was fear that loomed the greatest, that controlled all
other feelings.  Fear as she had never felt before.  Because before,
Ranma was always there.  He had always come.  And Ryoga, and her
father.  She had always known that they were looking for her, coming
for her, knew where they were, that they would come. That they were
there.  But not here.  They were far away.  And they wouldn't be able
to come so readily.  If at all.

   *No! They're coming.  They always have, and they will now.  Ranma is
going to find me.  And Keita--he has means of knowing things.  Finding
them out.  They will find me.  And soon, everything will be as it
always was...*

   And the summer gust, blowing through the field, rippling across the
grass, swirled by her, biting at her skin.  And its now bitter, icy
breeze, whirling spitefully, whispered, "Never..."

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