Ranma � is the property and invention of Rumiko Takahashi. The following
story is not produced for any monetary or personal gain.  
	
	Keep in mind the journey is almost always more interesting than the
destination.
	
Journey 
	
Part Two: Stepping Out
	
	
	
	Chapter 14
	
	Ryouga looked out into the park while absentmindedly stirring the small
pot boiling in his small campfire.  He was lost again, but it wasn't as
frustrating as it had been in the past.  The city of the Republic of Japan
where he was staying was huge but there where many parks to set up camp. 
The parks weren't as relaxing as the wilderness sites he was used to, but
they were neat and clean.
	"Please remember to throw the garbage away once you are finished with your
campfire," chimed a fist sized floating sphere.  Ryouga nodded politely in
the mechanism's direction.  Seeing it's warning acknowledged the little
device flew off a few feet to hover above a candy wrapper.  A quick flash
and the automated janitor went to find the next piece of litter slated for
elimination.
	Several of the people in the park gave him a polite greeting as the
passed, or a simple nod.  A few stared unable to understand why someone was
camping out in the park.  After all, the Republic may not supply luxurious
accommodations for the homeless, but it was better than the living in a
tent.
	"Almost time for Matsuda to pick me up," Ryouga mumbled to himself.  In
the last several days he had fallen into a pattern.  Get up, eat breakfast,
and wander around until Matsuda met with him.  At that point Matsuda would
chat a bit about current events, offer to take him somewhere and leave. 
Several times Ryouga had asked to be dropped off at the edge of the city so
he could make his way back to Ranma.  Hours later he would be wandering
through one of the tidily arranged parks that dotted the city.  
	A few times, while wandering the darker, less traveled alleyways he would
come across a would-be mugger or thief.  When he was done he would
carefully lay their unconscious body comfortably on the ground for the
police to find.  Most of the assailants were easily taken care of, though
there were the occasional challenges like that cyborg samurai who had
attacked him yesterday.  Ryouga didn't think the fellow was after his money
since he was shouting derogatory slurs about country bumpkins not knowing
their place.  That guy actually needed two strikes from Ryouga's umbrella. 
Ryouga absently buffed the discolored area on his umbrella where he had
parried that weird vibrating sword.  Next time he would invest a bit more
chi into his weapon, it had almost gotten nicked.
	Still, the people were generally friendly, the streets not overly crowded
(mostly due to the air traffic that most people used for transportation),
and the parks were pleasant places to spend the night.  Each evening he'd
sit by his campfire and look at the stars�and the distant lights of the
huge buildings that rimmed the park, ceramic monoliths that rose over the
trees on all sides.  
	He sighed, it wasn't what he wanted, but there were worse places to be
lost in.  The only option he saw to solve his dilemma was to take off his
ankle restraints and hope that he appeared by Ranma the next time he
teleported.  He was wary of this choice, since there was no guarantee that
he would even stay in the same dimension�still experience had shown that he
would eventually wander into Ranma.  It was just a matter of time.
	"Ryouga?  Are you there?" a female voice broke into his contemplation. 
Looking around he noted only the same people walking through the park
mostly ignoring him.
	"Ryouga!  Answer!  I know I have this spell right, I used it on Ranma
several times already.  Don't make me make you regret keeping me waiting,"
hearing the threat allowed Ryouga to make the connection between the voice
and the identity of the voices owner.
	"Nabiki?  What are you doing here?" Ryouga asked, still looking around
him.
	"I'm not there.  I'm using a spell to contact you."
	"That's nice.  Do you know where Ranma is?"
	"Yes, but telling you would be a waste of my time."
	"I think I have some yen," offered the Lost Boy.
	"Ryouga, listen carefully.  I...am...not...THERE!  This is like a
telephone, you only hear my voice."
	"Oh.  Sorry.  Well...what if I paid you later," he said anxious to make
peace with the girl who had information he wanted.
	"Grr.  Never mind.  I have something I want you to do for me."
	"I'd like to help but I have to find Ranma," a sly look come into his
eyes, "maybe if you told me where Ranma is we could come to an agreement."
	"Ryouga, you're going to help me, whether you like it or not."
	"Hey, I got other things to do! Sorry."
	"Let's put it this way.  You never know who may be listening, so pay
attention.  I know something you don't want to be public knowledge.  If you
don't want this certain something, that starts with a certain letter of the
alphabet to get to the ears of a certain someone whose name also starts
with a certain letter, you'll do exactly what I want to the best of your
admittedly limited abilities," Nabiki stated in a low predatory voice.
	Oh my god!  She knows about P-chan, was Ryouga overwhelming realization. 
Ranma must have told her.  
	"Ranma, I'll hunt you down and destroy you for this!" screamed the
bandannad boy, a fist holding chop sticks in one hand and a bowl rice
raised defiantly in the other.
	"Maybe you will, maybe you won't.  But if you don't want 'you know who' to
find out your 'terrible secret' you'll put your vengeance on hold.  I need
you to contact the officials of the Republic of Japan.  I have an offer
they won't want to refuse."
	Ryouga's shoulder's slumped in defeat.  His rival would have to wait a
little longer for pounding that he had coming.  He shook his head, he had
been so close to tracking him down too.
	"Fine.  You keep my secret and make sure no one finds out and I'll help
you."
	"Good.  No was that so hard, Ryouga?"
	
	
	
	"Excellent!  I had often wondered why you never acted on that information
on Ryouga.  You are far more ruthless than I gave you credit for," praised
Thoth's telepathic voice, always appreciative of a clever plan.
	"What information?  I just used vague innuendo's to scare Ryouga.  I never
really paid much attention to him.  Certainly not enough to find out any
'terrible secret'.  The guy is so shy his secret is probably his lame crush
on Akane or maybe wetting his bed when he was five.  These martial artists
are just way too tightly wound."  Nabiki paused in her self-congratulation
for a moment, "Ryouga is also not the sharpest tool in the shed.  Saner
than the Kuno's, but none too bright."
	"So you have no idea what you just promised Ryouga?" the god's voice
seemed to tremble in humor.
	"Nope.  I'm sure it's harmless.  I mean it's Ryouga, what�" Nabiki began.
	"So you had no idea that he possessed a Jusenkyo curse?"
	"...secrets could he possibly have?" Nabiki finished cockily as the words
of Thoth slowly settled into her consciousness. 
	"Jusenkyo?  Ryouga doesn't have a curse," Nabiki stated blankly.
	"He never seemed shy of water?"
	"Oh..."
	"Never was around a little too often for mere coincidence?"
	"...my..."
	"Wasn't he a little more interested in removing curses than his
'friendship' with Ranma might explain?"
	"...GOD!"
	"And finally what were the nicknames that Ranma used to call him by?"
	"Oh my god!  Oh my god!  He's P-Chan!  I can't believe I never noticed
before!  But he seemed so uninteresting.  Argh!  I just promised not to
tell Akane or anyone else this secret?"
	"Yes you did.  Disappointed that you didn't get more money out of it?" the
God of Knowledge teased.
	"You don't understand!  If Akane finds out I knew and didn't tell her
she's going to kill me!"
	"Oh, tough call.  I guess you, Ranma, Shampoo, Cologne and your father are
in for a bit of trouble down the road," Thoth said cheerily.  He couldn't
wait to see what his disciple would come up with to wriggle out of the
situation.  Watching a clever plan unfold was always a pleasure to behold. 
It also would probably be very amusing.
	Nabiki had calmed down enough to think calmly about her dismal future in
clearer terms.  She hadn't liked being outwitted.  Outwitting herself
didn't make her feel better.  "Well I'm not surprised about Shampoo and
Cologne.  They are rivals to Ranma's affections...did you just say that
father knew?"  Nabiki stood in her room momentarily stunned.
	"That...that...scheming, conniving scum!  His own daughter...but why? 
He's always been so overprotective.  Ah ha!  To get Ranma jealous!  Of
course!"  Nabiki shook her head in wonder, "I never knew he could be
so...so devious.  He must have used his lifetime supply of sneakiness.  I
guess he really is my father.  I'd always wondered if I'd been switched at
birth.
	"You approve?"
	"No way!  Not only is she my little sister, but she's still going to kill
us when she finds out.  He's demonstrated absolutely no concept of the
consequences to his personal well being."
	"I'm sure you'll think of something," Thoth comforted.
	
	
	
	Ranma-chan sat on the lawn in front of the Dojo, her hands stretched out
before her.  With her eyes shut, and a slight frown of concentration on her
brow she was the picture of a focussed individual.  To the discerning eye
her hands glowed, flickering in varying shades of chi.  The dance of light
moved so rapidly that it could easily be mistaken for a single mass.  A
slight breeze slowly coalesced around the martial artist.  As the wind
rapidly picked up speed a slight jerk of the martial artist's hands seemed
to act as a catalyst, triggering a small thin cyclone to ascend away from
her hands, straight up into the air.
	An almost silent rustle of grass heralded the arrival of a second
individual.  "Not as large as I was expecting considering the tales going
around about that battle of yours under the Tree."  Talon commented from
behind Ranma-chan.
	"Gah!  Don't do that!  It would have been messy if you'd startled me a few
seconds earlier," stated the disgruntled pig tailed girl.
	"I sensed you were busy so I kept my presence discrete.  You aren't the
only one to play with the forces of the spirit.  So what were you
practicing?"
	"Oh that was a variant of the Dragon Ascending move I've been developing. 
That time under the tree was a fluke.  I didn't know the tree would have
that kind of effect.  Still, it did point to the fact that I need a more
reliable version.  The original move takes the user's chi and uses it sorta
like a lever to force the opponents energy to rip itself apart.  The
problem is that it takes too much time to set up unless he starts throwing
his energy at you.  This new version is a lot weaker, but it uses my own
projected chi to form the chi vortex.  It takes a lot of concentration to
form the different kinds of chi simultaneously, and it is limited to the
energy I put into it, but it will be faster.  When I perfect it, that is. 
You know any chi attacks?"
	"No, I know a bit of magic, but the advanced manipulation of chi is beyond
me.  However, I do know several masters," the Tengu stated modestly.
	"Really?  Cool!  Can I meet any of them?" Ranma-chan excitedly asked,
apparently recovered from her exertions.
	"If you come back I will tell you their location, and you can go to them. 
They aren't very close to here.  One's in Northern Japan, Hokaido, another
is in Korea, and there are several in China."
	"How come no one else mentioned them before?"
	"The areas I mentioned are not close to us.  Combined with the fact that
they are in the heart of lands occupied by various supernatural
horrors...well it's not common knowledge.  Our race has the advantage of
flight and few monsters actively hunt our folk."
	"So why tell me if it's a big secret?"
	"I never said it was a secret.  I was implying that for the vast majority
of people it is useless information.  They aren't going to trek around the
wilds to meet with people who most likely won't want to meet with them."
	"Alright, again.  Why tell me?"
	"You aren't interested?"
	"Of course I'm interested!  Don't be a pain!  You know what I mean!"
	"Heh, yes I do," the avian gracefully admitted, "The people I met asked me
not to reveal their location except to those seeking, and willing to accept
enlightenment."
	"Oh.  Well...gee.  I hadn't realized you were talking about religion. 
Never mind," she said dismissively.
	"Religion?" Talon paused in thought.  "I never thought of it that way. 
No, it's not really religion.  Think of it as a philosophy held by those
interested in exploring the mysteries held within the human spirit.  Surely
as one well versed in the use of the human spirit as you can see beyond the
inherent flaws of language."
	"Oh!  Masters of Chi!  Got it!  It's weird, it seems once a martial artist
hits a hundred they go all mystical and stop saying what they mean.  Sure
I'd be interested in them.  You think they know something worthwhile?"
	"Not if you ask them like that!  Most of them are rather proud and set in
their ways, ask them in that fashion and your trip will be wasted.  Still,
they know arts of manipulating the energies of life and spirits, far more
advanced than what I've seen anywhere else.  I've seen the truly powerful
change their form merely by an act of will."
	Ranma-chan jerked as the words penetrated her consciousness. 
"Shapechange?  As in human to animal...or male to female?" she asked,
glancing slyly out of the corner of her eye at the Tengu.  Fortunately he
was facing away, since Ranma-chan's face had yet to master hiding emotions.
	"Well...I can't vouch whether they actually do that, but they do have the
capability.  That's really just a parlor trick though..."
	"I'll have to go there right away.  I always wanted to travel a bit more. 
Now where is it?" Ranma-chan chattered eagerly, visions of living a curse
free existence dancing in her head.  She had no intention of living the
next few thousand years relying on some stupid bracelets.
	"Don't you have to go back to Lazlo?" the puzzled Tengu asked.
	"Lazlo?  Why...oh, Lazlo!  Right.  Shoot.  Yeah, I guess that is more
important right now," the red head dependently looked at the ground.
	"Cheer up!  Once you're finished you can come back.  I mean there's going
to be a circle directly there and back.  How hard will that be?"
	"Yeah, that's right!  How long can it possibly take..." she said slightly
cheered.
	"Now how about a quick spar.  That should get your mind off some silly
Enlightened Immortals," the Tengu said with good cheer.
	"Hey, I thought you respected them?"
	"Well, sure, but they take themselves far too seriously.  Most martial
artists do.  That's why my brethren find it such a joy to tease and torment
them," Talon said with a straight face while walking into the dojo.
	Moments later they stood across from one another sizing each other up. 
Without discernable warning they simultaneously burst into motion, leaping
up into the air to exchange the first series of blows at the apex of their
arch.  Each was stationary relative to the other.  Talon kept his place
through the virtue of his wings, occasionally deflecting a blow with the
durable implements.  Ranma-chan was able to support herself in the air
through a combination of chi and carefully calculated blows, whose reaction
partially offset the effects of gravity when blocked by her opponent. 
However, unlike a truly winged being it was a stopgap measure, and after
several seconds of hanging in the air seemingly ignoring the laws of
physics, she was forced to ground.
	Ranma-chan looked up at her opponent, grinning.  This would indeed be a
challenge.  Her opponent was skillful, durable and fast.  The battle might
almost be even if she didn't use any chi techniques.  Nodding to herself
she stated, "Not bad.  I guess I can use the fancier stuff without worrying
about whether you can take it.  Let's get serious."
	After stating this, she leaped up towards the hover Tengu.  Anticipating
the dodge and strike as she flew by, she rebounded off the rear wall for
another pass.  The Tengu was unprepared for the sudden change in direction
and took a glancing blow that knocked him back several feet.  "Heh, I
suppose I deserved that for underestimating you.  I see you well versed in
mid-air combat.  So am I."
	The two combatants then broke into a dizzying display of acrobatic
prowess, leaping from floor to ceiling, to wall, and back.  If one had been
able to fully perceive the two forms as other than blurs it would have been
an amazing aerial ballet forming a complex pattern only the two
participants seemed to be able to predict.  Neither used blows at full
force, satisfied at tapping their opponent when a opening was found and
taken advantage of.  In this way they were able to prolong the challenge
far longer that would have been allowed by beating the other into
submission.
	Several times the walls and ceiling actually gave way under the forces
that were being exerted upon the surface.  When this happened the other
would close in, hoping to score a hit before the other could free
themselves.  This also acted to increase the difficulty, since the holes
and obvious weak points had to be avoided while moving at speeds where
thought became actions.
	After an hour of strenuous physical activity each returned to the ground
facing the other.  Bowing they smiled at each other while Ranma-chan walked
over to where the tea tray had miraculously survived the pair's display.  A
controlled burst of hot chi once more heated the kettle and she carefully
poured a bit into the two cups.
	"Very satisfying.  You are by far the best human practitioner of aerial
combat I have ever encountered."
	Ranma-chan froze in the act of putting the cup to her face.  She was
certain she had scored more touches during the combat.
	"You've encountered someone better than me?" she gave him a disbelieving
look.
	"Well, yes.  Not many, but my race does specialize in this style.  Given
eight hundred years to practice can give you quite an edge."
	"Better than me?"
	"Oh calm your ego.  If it makes you feel any better I'm sure the battle
would have been quickly over if you had used your special techniques.  I
was also very impressed with how you adapted my own moves and incorporated
them into your own repertoire."
	"Hmph," Ranma-chan muttered petulantly.  The Tengu may have taken offense
if the red head hadn't ended up looking insufferably cute with that
expression.
	"Don't worry.  You're amazing good.  I'm sure that when your eight hundred
years old you'll show those other Tengu fogy's a thing or two about martial
arts."  Assuming you age more gracefully than most humans I've met, Talon
thought to himself.
	"Ha!  I'm Ranma Saotome!  I bet I can do it in two hundred years,"
Ranma-chan challenged and struck a heroic pose.  Then she burst out
laughing, realizing what she'd just said.  Talon joined her, appreciating
the humbling laughter.
	Ranma-chan shook her head at her own foolishness.  Ha!  Imagine it taking
even two hundred years.  She'd never live it down if it took even a
fraction of that time.
	
	
	Chapter 15
	
	Ranma-chan waved at the people who had come to see her off.  There weren't
many.  Most of the martial artists she knew as well as the Emperor, Masayo,
and the Shogun were either in the midst of negotiations with the Republic
or on the border dealing with the Oni invasion.  Those who remained were
mostly considered either non-essential or independent.
	"Come back soon, Ranma!  We'll miss you," called the little girl from the
edge of the circle waving her hand in farewell.
	"Don't worry little one.  I think she has incentive to come back," the
Tengu said, patting the girl on her back.
	"Yeah, Komar, sure I'll be back.  Just have to finish a few things,"
Ranma-chan said.
	"If you're quite finished I need to finish this circle," grouched the
young man in a Summoner's robe, "There's a war on and I'm sure my services
are needed far more elsewhere.
	"Don't forget to expect my...brother in about a day," the red head
replied.
	"Yes, yes.  I'll be here.  Goodbye," with no further warning the man
finished the circle and with a flash of light the martial artist
disappeared.
	
	
	
	Ranma-chan appeared in a similar circle.  The room looked familiar and it
took only a moment before he realized that this was the Tendo guest room he
used to stay in.  The bare walls and floor showed that his few possessions
had been moved elsewhere.  However, despite this the room wasn't empty.  A
feeling of dread filled him as he saw the crowd surrounding the circle.
	"Airen back!  Take Shampoo to date?" the exuberant blue haired girl cried
out as she leaped into Ranma-chan's arms.  "Why Ranma girl?"
	"Why is that barbarian draping herself around Ranma's sister?  I thought
we were here to see Ranma," a puzzled Cindra asked.
	Jess looked over at Ukyou and whispered into her ear, "How come no one
told Cindra about the curse?"
	Ukyou looked disinterestedly at the princess, "She's not as bad as
Kodachi, but her attitude stinks.  Only Nabiki spends any time with her and
that's mostly to collect rent." 
	"That's so sad," Jess said.
	"Well a jackass is a jackass.  As soon as she stops the 'princess' stuff
the sooner people will talk to her.  Actually, I think Kasumi's been
talking to her as well, when she isn't studying for that doctor or nurse
stuff..."
	"Ranma!  I can't believe it!  You're back five seconds and you're already
hanging over all the girls!" I don't know why I actually missed that idiot,
Akane thought to herself as she prepared her standard counter measures.
	"Ah!  My pigtailed goddess.  It has been an eternity.  I have sorely
missed your presence.  Come away with me and we can leave the foul Ranma
Soatome behind."
	"Argh!  Nabiki!  I bet you did this!" said foul Ranma Soatome shouted.
	Not only is this fun to watch, but Ranma shouldn't have let Ryouga get
away with sleeping in Akane's bed, Nabiki thought to herself, a slight
smile playing on her lips.  Her eyes widened a moment later as she saw
Akane douse Ranma-chan with a bucket of cold water. Or attempt to.
	She froze in mid throw, the prematurely arrested bucket instead
overrunning onto the floor. However Ranma-chan overbalanced caught in an
embrace from Shampoo while trying to avoid a hug from the deranged samurai.
 She fell forward onto Shampoo, causing the Amazon to drop into the
expanding puddle of water.  Naturally Shampoo did not long retain her human
form, leaving a wet bedraggled feline hanging on to Ranma-chan's neck. 
Although Ranma-chan valiantly attempted to fight the haze of fear
descending onto through her meditation exercises, she was distracted from
her attempt by the impact of a frozen Kuno who had finally tipped over from
his outstretched pose.  Ranma-chan's precarious control finally broke and
she ran screaming through the door, with a frantically meowing Shampoo
around her neck.
	"I never figured out why she just doesn't let go," Ukyou sighed as she
began to run after her fianc�e.
	"Amazons never let go of what they consider theirs," muttered Nabiki to
herself as she looked around at the mess.  Perhaps the amusement value
wasn't quite worth the effort fixing the circle would require.
	
	
	
	Later that day Nabiki finally managed to get Ranma alone in her room,
temporarily away from the madness that had returned with Ranma.  He was
once more in his male form, a fact that he was immensely thankful for.
	"Well?  What's the big deal?  You've been glaring at me all night," Ranma
asked nonchalantly.  After all what could she possibly be angry about?  He
hadn't even been around for the last few weeks.
	"Alright, mister, perhaps you can fill me in on a little detail.  Like why
you've been letting Ryouga sleep with Akane for the last year?" the angry
girl growled at the pig tailed boy.
	"Ryouga?  Heh, heh, heh.  I...I...have no idea what you mean, Nabiki,"
Ranma stuttered in panic, at a loss in how to proceed.
	"Now, now, Ranma, no need to lie.  I found out that you knew P-chan was
Ryouga.  Now why didn't you tell Akane?" she said, while looking darkly at
Ranma.
	"It's about honor!  I swear I didn't have a choice!"
	"I think I'll need a little bit more explanation than that," coaxed
Nabiki.
	"Well, when I first found out Ryouga had a Jusenkyo curse I promised that
I wouldn't tell anyone about it.  How was I supposed to know that he'd
start sleeping with the Tomboy."
	"Is that all?"
	"Isn't that enough?  But no, later I also found out that I was the one
that had accidentally pushed Ryouga into the pool," he said dejectedly.
	"How did you find out about the curse anyway?"
	Ranma paused a moment trying to reconstruct the events from almost a year
ago.  "Well think Ryouga umbrella was knocked away in the first fight out
on the lawn.  When I saw the empty clothes I naturally thought of Jusenkyo.
 So I found a dog in the back yard and brought it inside, thinking it was
Ryouga.  You should have seen it.  It had an evil gleam in its eye, I
thought for sure it was him."
	"Hey I remember that!  I always wondered why you had brought the
neighbor's dog inside.  So after you found out Ryouga was the pig you made
the promise?"
	"Heh, heh.  Now that I think of it I think I made it to the dog.  I didn't
even think about the pig until I dumped it in the bathtub," Ranma's face
turned red as he recalled the events.
	"Wait a minute.  This word of honor of yours was given to the neighbors
dog?"
	"It's not what it sounds like!  It's the spirit of the promise that
counts!  A true martial artist..."
	"You forgot that you gave your promise to a dog, didn't you?" Nabiki
smirked.
	"..."
	"Pathetic."
	"Hey!  I tried to make up for it!  I kept trying to get Akane to stop
sleeping with the little pervert.  She's just never figured it out.  Keeps
telling me not to pick on P-Chan."
	Nabiki nodded in thought, Akane could be a little obtuse when it suited
her.  It certainly explained the senseless violence between the two rivals.
 Could it be that some small part of Ranma's life was based on some skewed
logic, as opposed to sheer random chaos?
	"I figured out a way to keep him from pulling another P-Chan thing.  Got
him a set of bracers like mine so he doesn't change anymore.  Told him that
if he ever slept with Akane again I'd tell her."
	"Despite your promise to the neighbor's dog?"
	"Enough with the dog!  It was a really busy night, I was tired.  I forgot,
okay?"
	"So I can assume that if Ryouga ever does this again you'll deal with it?"
	"You bet!  A man needs his rivals to keep him on his toes, but Ryouga
needs to be a man about it."
	"As opposed to a pig?"
	"Heh! Yeah.  Hey if you know about P-Chan why haven't you told Akane?"
	Nabiki thought about the possible answers to that question.  In the end
her pride forced her into one.  "No one ever paid me for it," she simply
said.
	
	
	
	Ranma stood in the circle once more looking out into the basement of his
manor house.  In front of him were even fewer people than had seen him off.
 There was the sour faced Summoner who had activated the circle the day
before and an old woman.  The old lady sent chills down his spine, as he
reflexively looked around for water.  Of course there was no water.  There
would only be water when he was unaware of it.  It seemed the nature of the
curse to be oblivious to the presence of water, as well as attracting the
stuff.
	"Hello.  I am Ueda, the Shogun's grandmother.  I was asked to perform a
service for you," the elderly woman stated in a dignified tone.  She
squinted at him as if seeing something odd that she couldn't quite pin
down.
	Ranma's eye's widened as he recognized the woman he had met on the way to
Kyoto, "Hi.  My name is Ranma.  My sister mentioned that you may have a way
to get me through the gate."
	"Ranma?  I thought that was the girl's name?" the priestess asked,
somewhat suspicious.
	"Erk.  Her name?  Ha, Ha!  That Ranko!  We're twins...yeah, that's it! 
Twins!  Some people say we might as well be one person!  Heh, Heh! 
Sometimes Ranko takes it a little too seriously and uses Ranma as a nick
name.  Confuses everyone back home too," Ranma looked sideways at the old
woman, while apprehensively rubbing the back of his neck.
	"That may explain why you two have almost the same aura.  Very unusual. 
I've never heard of that, even in twins," the woman glared at Ranma as if
this quirk was his fault.  Due to the fact that it was indeed his fault
this had the effect of making him extremely nervous.
	"Well, look at the time," Ranma said, reflexively looking at his bare
wrist.  "Let's go over the plan.  Need to help Lazlo and all that."
	"Yes.  I suppose so.  Ran...ko mentioned that you might be able to send us
information about our enemies if we were able to insert you into the
Shogunate forces."
	"Yeah.  I can contact...Lazlo, and they can in turn leave messages in the
circle.  I need more than just to sneak into the Shogunate though.  They
have some sort of gate that I'll need access to."
	"Hmm.  We have made several contacts with the Shogunate forces.  One of
them wished to defect.  Apparently, they have been sending small groups of
their elite soldiers through for some sort of magical enhancement.  He is
on the list to be sent.  Only half of them ever come back, but when they do
they are incredibly powerful.  Strong, supernatural strength and endurance
as well as the seeming ability to cast certain spells.  I don't like having
to deal with traitors and cowards, but it seems that taking this man's
place may offer you the best hope," she said distaste evident in her voice.
	"How am I supposed to pass myself off as this guy?  I don't know anything
about him or the Shogunate?" Ranma pointed out the most obvious flaw in
plan he had noticed.
	"That is the most pressing drawback.  However, it's not as serious as it
may initially sound," the old woman turned away heading towards the stairs
while still speaking.  The Summoner had long since left, tired of having
his time wasted.  "Once you are on the other side of the gate you will most
likely be surrounded by strangers.  Not just people you don't know, but
people the person whose identity you'll be borrowing won't know.  Faking
ignorance in that fashion will won't difficult.  As for the impersonation
before hand...I know an excellent psychic who can imprint the basic
information needed as long as he has access to a willing donor.  We'll
simply make this a condition of our acceptance for our little traitor."
	"Psychic?  Imprint?  Wait a minute!  I don't want anyone messing around
with my mind!" Ranma angrily declared.
	"Don't worry.  He's very good.  The chances of anything going wrong are
negligible.  Besides it's only temporary.  It will fade away in a few days,
by then you'll be on the other side of the gate, away from anyone who
thinks they know you and you should remember enough to know who to salute,
if not their names," she said in a chiding voice.  "Don't you trust me?"
	"I ain't gonna do it!  I can sneak in on my own and take my chances!"
Ranma firmly stated.
	"What a pity.  It seems I am cursed to deal with honorless cowards in my
old age," she sighed wearily to herself.
	"Honorless coward?  I ain't a coward!  You take that back!" Ranma shouted
his battle aura flaring to life around him.
	"Well what else do you call throwing away your best chance of success
because you're afraid of a few psionics.  Your country...er city, is
depending on you and you're going to throw it away for a little paranoia. 
I fear I've lived past the age of heroes.  I remember some truly great
men..." she seemed likely to continue along this vein for some time until
Ranma cut her off.
	"Hold on a minute!  Let me think!" Ranma commanded.  To his mind it wasn't
a bit paranoid to think that someone might use access to his mind to either
learn his secrets or try to enslave him.  Even those he considered friends
probably wouldn't give much more than a second thought before giving into
such temptation.  Then again according to Thoth, Anhur and Nabiki the
mission he was on was vital to the entire megaverse.  He had to admit he'd
rather storm the place but had to realistically consider his chance of
success.  It would be years before he was good enough to do that. 
	"Fine.  But if I find that this guy did anything funny, he's toast.  I
also want his promise on his honor," Ranma cracked his knuckles in anger. 
He hated being forced into positions like this.  "Where do I meet him?"
	"You'll meet him at the border of the Shogunate.  He'll lead to the
meeting with the traitor.  After that, you should know all you need
to...temporarily at least.  Do you need help getting to the meeting place? 
I know you have never been on the island before."
	"Yeah, right.  Hmm.  I can travel faster alone.  If you give me a good map
I should be able to do it.  I've traveled a lot as I grew up.  It is
through real roads?  I won't have to cut across woods, right?"
	"No. It is easily accessible.  No major roads, since there is no trade
between us, but the way is clear."
	"Great.  When do I go?" Ranma asked, anxious to leave the presence of the
old woman.  It was odd, young women jumped at him and old women tormented
him.  It must be the price of being so popular.  It was a burden but
certainly better than being ignored.
	"I'll need to contact our agents, but I can have things in place in three
days.  I'll come by then.  Until then you can enjoy the hospitality of your
sister's home."
	"I'll treat it like my own," Ranma reassured the retreating woman.



	Chapter 16

	He looked out at the woods that spread out under the hill where he stood. 
Admiring the scenery he almost could forget his problems.  Self pity wasn't
really a strong facet of his personality.  He was as he was meant to be. 
Part of who he was determined that he would have difficulty finding home.
	It wasn't a bad existence.  A being of his power had very little to worry
about when it came to physical danger.  The whole multiverse spread out
before him in a vast array of sensory banquets.  Still, it would be nice to
be able to stay home for more that a few months before he accidentally
wandered off.  The humans he had known of in the past had said that winter
arrived upon his departure.  It was a nice sentiment but mostly
coincidental.  It just happened that in the cold of the approaching winter
he would wander off the search for firewood.  By the time he returned it
was usually superfluous.
	He sighed.  Some of his most treasured moments had come and gone while he
searched for the way home.  Centuries ago he had met a mortal woman on a
quaint little island.  He would have stayed if he could have, but again his
very nature forced him into exile once more.  It was the one of the few
times he had cried and cursed what he was.  Since then he had found his way
home and wandered lost dozens of times.  She had been merely mortal and he
supposed that it was far too late to count what might have been, but
sometimes while far from home, standing among the wilderness of a strange
world his thoughts would travel back to enjoy his happier moments. 
	So lost in thought was he that failed to notice a large ebony statue
adorned with odd jewelry appear behind.  However, though his
interdimensional senses may not have been very sharp, his sense of hearing
proved more that adequate to shake him from his reverie.  Twirling around
he saw his assailant.
	"A rune statue?  How odd..." was as far as his muttering got before he was
struck across the face by the massive arm of the construct.  Far from
showing any real sign of hurt, he was merely forced backwards a step.
	"I'm being attacked by a renegade domestic servant from the time of the
Old Ones?  This is really embarrassing.  Only a mortal would have that
shear bad taste..." 
	His statement was cut off when a jewel that adorned the aggressive statue
flashed and a glowing net flew towards the bemused deity.  It settled
around his form and started to constrict.
	"It's had cheap mortal magic tacked on to it?  This can't possibly be
targeted at me.  No one would think so little of me, would they," the god
said forlornly as he waived his had at the enchantment surrounding him,
causing it to dissipate into a blue fog.  Another gesture had the ground
around him transforming into a watery quicksand.  While he used his own
power to stand on the liquid surface the black figure quickly sank out of
sight.
	"Hmm...now what group of mortals would be misguided enough to attack a god
of nature and agriculture in the middle of the forest?"
	As he pondered the possibilities a hand reached up from the silt to grasp
the ankle of the god.  "Eh?  They gave you flight too.  Truly the all
terrain construct.  Fine.  I'll fight mortal magic with mortal magic,"
groused the displeased deity as he rose into the air. 
	With the statue clinging to his leg with one hand and pounding the deity
with a clenched fist, he hurriedly dug a hand into a pocket and came up
with a scroll.  "Damn busybody mortals, only ever met one worth anything,"
he muttered as he started to read the scroll.  The statue could pound on
him all day and be unlikely to leave more than a bruise.  These type of
servants were mostly harmless to greater entities except under special
circumstances.  Well...they could wield weapons and magic as well as many
fighters, but this one seemed to be only armed with mortal magic which made
it annoying but mostly harmless.
	As he finished reading the scroll a mist billowed up around the floating
pair, obscuring them from prying eyes.  It also incidentally negated all
other magic except the caster's.  Noting with satisfaction the increase in
weight as the rune creature's flying enchantment was suppressed.
	Although the deity know itself to be far stronger that the creature he
also knew it was useless to attempt to escape the statue's grasp through
sheer force.  The thing's power was limited but it was indestructible. 
Which meant that once the statue had grasped something all it had to do was
return it's handhold to its basic inert form and let its impervious body do
the rest.  Gods aren't limited to mere force or to one physical shape. 
After a quick moment of rearranging his mass he slipped free from the hold.
 With a thought he commanded his form to grow to a monstrous height of
thirty feet and held the body of the construct in his hands.
	Despite the large size of the statue it lay like a toy in the hands of the
god.  "I have defanged you, my little domestic.  Without your magics all
that remains to you is physical force.  You will find this insufficient
when dealing with a god of my nature."  A paused to allow a response. 
Failing to receive one he continued.  "Lets be a little more forthcoming
little fellow.  I want to know who sent you and why.  I know you have
enough initiative to tell me these things, unless your master has
specifically ordered otherwise."
	After a moments pause a grinding voice answered, "I was sent to find the
Lost One.  He was not supposed to be a god, merely a demigod.  Release me."
	"Not quite yet.  They sent you out to find the Lost One and you found me
instead?  I admit I find myself often wandering but it takes more than
being lost to have stumbled upon me.  What is the relationship between this
'Lost One' and me?"
	"I don't..."
	"That was a hypothetical question.  If you knew the answer you wouldn't be
here.  Does the 'Lost One' have another name?  Surely you know more." 
After waiting a few moments the god prompted, "You can answer now."
	"My master has found through magic that the target's name is Ryouga
Hibiki," the statue reluctantly stated.
	"Hibiki?  Could it be?  That was Mariko's family name," the god said
thoughtfully.  It was true he might have lost the only mortal he ever cared
for, but it was possible that something of their union yet remained.  This
was something he could not ignore.
	"You will take me to your 'Lost One'," the deity commanded, lightly
shaking the indestructible form he held in his hands. 
	"I cannot.  I believe you will attempt to keep me from my command."
	"Hmm.  You could be right.  On the other hand if you don't bow to my
wishes I will lock you in a dark vault and you can while away the millennia
staring at a wall.  If you do as I ask you at least have a chance to
accomplish your masters wish.  Isn't that better than to be trapped in a
small dark room for the next few eons?"  This was a calculated offer.  Few
things were as unpleasant to the poor entities trapped in an indestructible
rune construct than being isolated in a place where they have nothing to do
or sense.
	"As you wish.  When I am released I will attempt to find the Lost One. 
You may follow."
	The god smirked at the autocratic phrasing.  "Thank you.  Most kind."



	Ranma leaped from tree to tree, pausing occasionally to look up into the
sky and get his bearings.  The path he had followed had seemingly
disappeared.  He wasn't worried about getting lost, he had been on the road
since he was a child and finding his way had become second nature.  What
concerned him was that he had just started on his mission and already the
information he had received from the irritating old hag had turned out to
be inaccurate.  This boded ill for the rest of what he had learned from the
priestess.
	He estimated he was about to enter the territory claimed by the Shogunate.
 He may even have entered it several hours ago.  The map and sun wasn't the
best way to navigate but it suited his purposes for the moment.  As a
precaution he had commanded the enchanted robe he wore to take the form of
a loose bodysuit tailored in the manner of the traditional ninja.  Instead
of the traditional black it was a deep blue.  It couldn't really be helped,
the robe was an incredibly useful piece of magic, but its one limitation
was that it could only form variation of the red and blue hues.  In true
nightstalking, crimson actually worked better, but his main purpose was get
used the unfamiliar constrictions caused by the garment.  He expected to be
fighting in the odd garb and was determined to be prepared.
	It was early evening when he slowed his path enough for some elementary
caution to be used.  Ranma estimated that he would come across the meeting
place soon.  He was even early.  Not that he minded, it would give him a
chance to practice some of the trickier techniques he had come across.
	He was thinking of such thoughts when he froze in place.  His senses on
full battle alert he spread his battle aura to it maximum range.  Nothing
overt was causing him alarm, but something was tickling his senses.  With a
moments concentration he identified it as a something he had encountered
under the Sacred Tree.  Knowing what to look for he was able to pinpoint a
large concentration of chi off to his left.
	"You may as well show yourself!  Your tricks aren't working and if you
don't want to talk, you may as well leave now," commanded Ranma in as
strong a voice as he could manage.  Many creatures used invisibility,
including humans, however many powerful creatures were included within
those ranks as well.
	"Certainly, little human!  For I wish to talk to you about certain
arrangements.  Perhaps an exchange of services," a deep, sibilant voice
boomed out.  Above the forest floor a huge serpent rapidly became visible. 
Ranma's amazement came more from the fact that this huge beast had managed
to almost take him unawares rather than the shear size of the dragon.
	"Your aura is the same as what I sensed under the Tree.  You didn't wait
to talk to me then, why now?" Ranma asked suspiciously.
	"You were surrounded by the Emperor's troops and somewhat occupied by that
little demon problem.  What I have to discuss is for no ears but your own."
	"Heh.  What?"
	"You are a martial artist of significant skill.  It is unusual to see this
kind of dedication in a mortal.  Let alone a human woman."
	"What?  I ain't no..." Ranma cut himself off.  This creature obviously
knew he was the same person as before, yet had no clue that it was talking
to a man at present.  As much as it offended his pride it would not do to
alert the creature to certain facts.  That very statement told him that the
overgrown lizard before him had used senses other than sight to track him. 
Probably not smell since that probably changed slightly as well.  The old
lady said that he had the same aura as his female form, which may mean that
was the manner he had been found.  It also pointed to the lizard not being
able to tell one human from another to save its hide.
	"Yep.  Miss dedication.  That's me," he stated switching to a falsetto
voice, which would not have fooled anything remotely humanoid.
	"I hold the secrets of many martial arts techniques.  In trade for your
services I would be willing to share these with you."
	"Well...I don't know.  I mean I know dragons are supposed to be wise 'an
all, but you don't really look like you use anything I'd recognize as
martial arts.  Not unless you change into something a little shorter and
start walking on two legs."
	"Bah.  Form means nothing.  My kind has watched humans since before the
beginnings of civilization.  We know everything there is to know about your
skills and even the tricks you can accomplish using your chi."
	"I guess that's possible.  But do you know any techniques I don't?  I
kinda doubt that..." Ranma trailed off, his voice filled with doubt.  On
the one hand he wanted to delay the creature as much as possible in the
hopes that a plan would occur to him that didn't involve a full fledged
battle.  Not that he thought he couldn't take the beast, despite its size
it didn't radiate the sheer power that Ammit had.  Never the less, a
pitched battle near to his rendezvous would be incredibly bad at the
moment.  On the other hand what could this large snake monster really know
about the Art.
	"I know of a technique that allows the user's hand to move faster than the
speed of sound, it is known as the Chestnuts Roasting..."
	"Already know it."
	"There is the dreaded Silent Fist maneuver that allows..."
	"Know it."
	"The Withering Touch..."
	"Got it."
	"The Breaking Point...
	"Mastered it and all known variations."
	"Splitting Cat Hairs..."
	"Improved upon it."
	"Dragon Ascending..."
	"Reinvented it.  Several times."
 	"The Vibrating Palm..."
	"That's the one where you hit something and it shatters?  Right?"
	"Well...yes.  But that describes most of the martial arts strikes in
existence.  This one centers around inducing a harmonic vibration within a
structure.  By feeding and increasing this vibration any solid object can
be shattered given time," the dragon proudly stated, happy that he knew
something the human didn't.
	Ranma was confident that he could duplicate this strike on his own without
further help from the serpent.  He was also beginning to be impressed by
the creature's knowledge.  "Well I don't know that one, but since I already
know the Breaking Point I really don't see the point."
	"Hmph.  Fine.  What about the Roaring Lion Bullet."
	"Don't use it, but I know it and its variations."
	"What about the Shadow Touch?"
	"Not sure.  Could you describe it to me?" Ranma asked innocently.
	It was in this way that Ranma passed the next few hours.  Ranma happily
weaseling new techniques from the dragon and the serpent totally oblivious
to the fact that it was talking to a human who could reinvent most of the
maneuvers it described just by knowing the name and effects.  
	The dragon itself was slowly becoming enraged.  It had offered many of its
best bribes and the annoying human either already knew it or didn't want it
after hearing a bit about it.  If she truly knew as many techniques as she
said she did it was the most formidable mortal she had ever encountered. 
Still the shear frustration was going to drive it to a killing frenzy if
the human kept being difficult.
	Ranma was indeed having a wonderful time, but was under no illusions as to
what he was doing to the dragons temper.  By keeping careful track of the
dragon's chi signature he was fairly confident he could act before the
creature's patience snapped.
	So it came about that just as the Serpent's temper was about to be pushed
to its breaking point Ranma pointed behind it and shouted in a panicked
voice.
	"Oh my gosh!  Its Gojiro...I mean a Hydra!" he shrieked in a pathetic
high-pitched girls voice.
	"Hydra?  I don't sense any other dragons in the area.  Wait!  I sense a
dimensional anomaly!  Hey!  Where are you?  Come back here!  You can't
waste hours of my time and dimensionally teleport away," the Serpent
roared.  "Damn you!  I'll feed on your intestines!  The moment you step
back into this dimension my spells will sense your aura and I'll crush you!
While the dragon had been railing at the martial artist it had been
writhing in the air gradually getting larger and larger while
simultaneously ascending into the sky.  Upon the last declaration it flew
south, rapidly fading into the distance.
	Ranma, meanwhile stepped out from behind the boulder he had ducked behind.
 It had been close, he hadn't realized that dragons could sense dimensional
anomalies or he wouldn't have attempted to use Happossai's Dimensional
Cloak.  As it was he had just managed to drop the Cloak and apply the Way
of the Silent Thief to mask his presence and aura.  It was fortunate that
the dragon had thought he had teleported away and not looked further.  Not
that he wouldn't have welcomed a battle, but he had other priorities at the
moment.  From what the thing had shouted out he was sure they would meet in
the future anyway.   It seemed he would be using a variation of the Silent
Thief to mask his aura until he got into less critical surroundings.
	Sighing at the bother he scouted the area until he found a clearing that
met the description of his rendezvous point.  There he lit a small fire and
sat down to wait.  Knowing his senses would be dulled as long as he applied
the Silent Thief technique he drew out the Sacred Tree's gift and tossed
the staff to the ground.  It immediately grew in stature and length until a
huge snake lay on the ground.
	"Quite a coincidence that the Tree gave me a Staff of the Serpent at a
time I would be meeting dragons," Ranma chuckled to himself.  "Then again I
somehow doubt it was a coincidence."  Turning towards his companion he
good-naturedly said, "Tell me if any of your cousins stop by Scaly."
	Making himself comfortable he sat down to think of all the techniques that
he had learned of from his erstwhile mentor.  Ranma had no illusions that
he could master them immediately, however now that he knew of their
existence and effects he had no doubt he would eventually reinvent them. 
In the meanwhile it would at least make coming up with counters much
simpler if he ever had them used against him.
	If someone had asked him if the knowledge was worth getting a dragon with
a vendetta after him, he would have merely given them a puzzled look. 
After all, it was all a part of martial arts.  What else could he have
done?



	Chapter 17

	The agent Ranma met was a bit of a disappointment.  He was a tiny rag of a
man, barely above four feet and gave the impression a stiff wind would blow
him over.  Ranma's first thoughts upon seeing him enter the campsite was to
wonder how he had come through the wilderness unscathed.  There had to be
more to what he saw, even Voodoo boy from home looked more impressive.
	The Serpent, whom Ranma had named Scaly, had given an impressive bit of
warning.  It was whole minutes later before his own hearing picked out the
thrashing sound of the man making his way towards them.
	"Well...hello.  Are you the psychic I'm supposed to meet?" Ranma began
somewhat uncertainly.
	"No.  I'm the priest you're supposed to meet who happens to be a psychic. 
Greetings, I am Ohnishi."
	"Ranma Saotome."
	"Not for much longer.  Soon you will take the place of Hashimoto, traitor
at large.  Elite ninja of the Otomo Shogunate.  I assume you can fake the
ninja stuff.  You'll have the memories and skills for a few days, but if
you don't have the strength and stamina to pull off the moves all the skill
in the world won't help you."
	Thinking back to when he had first learned the Dragon Ascending, Ranma
simply shrugged, "You'd be surprised at what you can do.  Doesn't matter
though.  Unless this guy's some freak of nature, I can fake his strength
level."
	"Excellent.  The meeting place is a small town just a few miles away. 
Hashimoto-san is on his last night out he's allowed before he's sent
through the gate.  Once you have his memories it should prove simple to
slip back inside.  By the way change into some normal clothes.  You stand
out like a sore thumb in that blue outfit."
	Ranma shrugged and had his robe change into a set of typical peasant
clothing.  Of course it was made out of blue and red silk, but he hoped no
one would notice in the dark.  The priest turned back towards him to
continue the conversation.
	"A simple set of robes will...gah!  What the hell?  You look like a Lord
slumming!"
	"Hey!  It's not like I can carry a lot luggage!  You think I have some
sort of dimensional closet I can pull a bunch of stuff out of," Ranma said
with a smirk.
	"Fine.  I brought an extra robe for this occasion anyway.  Where's your
guardian snake?"
	"He's just wandered off," into subspace, Ranma thought to himself, "I'm
sure he'll find his way back."
	"You should be more careful with gifts from the Sacred Tree.  They should
be respected, and used only in dire emergencies."
	"Wow!  Will everyone I meet know what Scaly is?"
	"I am a priest.  It is my job to know such things.  Others may, it depends
if they are familiar with the Tree."
	"Hmph.  Let's talk about this brain switch thing.  I want your word of
honor that this thing is temporary and you won't go looking or changing
anything that belongs to me."
	"I am shocked that you would even asked," the little man spouted
indignantly.
	"Whatever.  Promise.  It's my head and I like it just the way it is.  If I
find something different about it I'll be back to discuss it with you. 
Painfully."
	"I will not be threatened.  I will perform the duty my high priestess laid
upon me.  This only includes giving you some memories or skills.  If you
think you can bully me, you will find me well able to defend against mere
physical force!"
	"Right. We'll see what happens," Ranma stated with skepticism.
	The pair walked in silence for the next hour until they arrived at the
outskirts of a small town.  At the late hour few people were out on the
street though many of the small houses and stores that lined the streets
had their lights on, in turn illuminating an otherwise dark path.  Several
odd vehicles lay in front of buildings, obviously of decent technology but
lacking wheels or other visual means of locomotion.
	A few minutes saw them in a small, somewhat rundown tavern.  The lights
were electric and there were stoves and refrigerators briefly visible when
the waiter entered or left the room, but other than that no use of advanced
technology was visible.
	"I thought the Shogunate was the source of most of the technology before
the Republic showed up.  What happened?"
	"Shh.  Keep your voice down.  This is merely a border town.  Its existence
is not very important in the eyes of the government.  It pretty much lives
off what it can scrounge.  The people who live here like it because it
gives them a certain freedom, but they do pay with the lack of many
amenities."  He paused for a moment and then went over to the counter at
the bar.
	"Excuse me.  I requested a room reserved for me and my friend here.  May I
have the key?"
	The barkeep was dressed in simple but neat clothes and he held a glass
which he polished with an available rag.  "Yes sir.  Got yer key right
here," giving the room a cautious glance he leaned in close to the smaller
man.  "You might want to be careful tonight.  I saw one of the members of
the government's death squads running around tonight.  Those goons don't
treat priests with much respect, if you get my meaning."
	"Thank you for the warning.  I will keep to my room tonight.  Better to
ere on the side of caution, aye?" the priest stated benevolently.
	"Ain't that the truth.  It's a dangerous world out there these days. 
Watch yerself."  With not more than a nod the barkeep went back to his
glasses.
	"He's a good man.  Won't stick his neck out, but if he can help, he will,"
the little man said as they climbed the stairs.  At the top he stopped by
the third door to right and opened it.
	The priest took half a step in before he was forcefully swept off his feet
and dragged through the door.  "Calm down Hashimoto-san," he gasped out
through the chokehold.  "I'm here as we agreed.
	"How do I know you have not betrayed me already?" the black uniformed man
growled.  
	By this time Ranma had entered the room and closed the door behind him. 
He looked bemusedly at the scene before him.  A rather large man just over
six feet wrestling with a very short man.
	"You don't, but if you don't let the priest go you can worry about it when
you regain consciousness."  Turning his attention the gasping man he
continued, "This guy is little bit larger than I am by a few inches.  Do
you honestly think I'm going to able pass as him?"
	"You dare ignore me?  Nothings take place until I allow it..." he was
stopped when Ranma got tired of the man's ranting and levered his arm from
his chokehold position, continuing the maneuver to place the arm behind his
back in a very painful hold.
	"As I understand it, you've already agreed.  You can do this conscious or
unconscious.  I somehow doubt the priest will wait for you if you aren't
capable of following on your own.  Personally I think it would be much
quieter in here if you weren't awake," Ranma said in his best threatening
manner.  Who said it didn't pay to watch bad Kung Fu movies. 
	The black clad man was grunting in pain and obviously trying his hardest
to break the hold.  Ranma halfway paid attention, enough to counter the
moves, while he visually checked on the health of the cleric.
	"You alright?"
	"S...sure.  Just need to get my breath back.  Don't worry about his size. 
I have a bit of padding, you don't need much, and some built up shoes. 
Once on the other side you won't need those things.  No one will know you
anyway."  Taking a closer look at the constrained man he spoke directly to
him, "Well Hashimoto-san, I assume you still don't think we betrayed you. 
It would be simplicity itself to do as we wish to you at this point." 
Turning his attention once more towards Ranma, "I think you can let him go.
 He needs my services if he wishes a place in the New Empire."
	"Fine.  One wrong move and he sleeps off his attitude," the martial artist
warned.
	Groaning the ninja staggered over to the chair rubbing his arms.  The
priest gestured towards the bed.
	"You should lie down.  I am confident of the success of this procedure but
it will most likely be uncomfortable."
	Ranma glanced worriedly at the ninja sitting in the chair.  He had no
doubts he could easily handle him now, if he was incapacitated by the
procedure, who knows what would happen.
	"Don't worry about him, once I have transferred his knowledge I will keep
him under control until I get back to civilization," the priest's
telepathic voice startled Ranma seeming to reverberate within his head.  He
simply nodded to himself.  He knew there had to be more to the little man
than first appeared.
	Moving over to the bed, he lay down.  He saw the priest put one hand on
the ninja's forehead as the other came to rest on his own head.  Then he
was too distracted by the flood of another man's life to pay any attention
to the world around him.



	Rhada muttered unhappily to herself as she looked over the market wares. 
Beside her stood Abdul-Ra his hand lay on her arm as he gave her a
comforting pat.
	"Come dear, we have barely looked at half the marketplace.  I sure we can
find something you like..." the Raksasha Lord murmured comfortingly.
	"It's no use.  These wares have no fire...no spirit.  They aren't any
better than lapdogs," the beautiful demoness said disparagingly.  Before
her stood a long line of slaves.  They varied in their age, sex, and race
but a spirit of hopelessness was one thing they had in common.  Before them
stood a six legged insectile entity, wringing it's claws and occasionally
rubbing its mandibles.
	"But my Lady, you won't find a finer selection of slaves in all Atlantis. 
Look at this young one, perfect for the afternoon snack or a for listening
to her screams by a cold winter's fire."  The chittering creature
continued.  "We have younger, or if you prefer the older ones who know
what's happening to them and can appreciate the horrors you inflict..."
	"Enough!  You can't seem to appreciate the concept of a pet.  Besides
we're Demon Lords, torture for pleasure is for lesser entities.  We have
enough of that kind of thing during work.  You have thoroughly broken the
spirit of these pathetic mortals.  The only way you could get them to say
anything remotely interesting would be to beat it out of them."  He said,
dismissing the salesmen as one lacking the proper appreciation of the finer
things in life.
	"I apologize my Lord," the creature screeched, obviously not understanding
why it should be sorry, but eager to grovel before a powerful Demon Lord. 
"The only unbroken slaves in Atlantis are probably the new slaves,
gladiator slaves (they usually rebel until something eats them in the
Arena), and the slaves being punished.  Unfortunately the punishments are
usually terminal."
	"Well I suppose it's the price of your kind of business.  Maybe
Splynncryth would have something.  He has the largest supply of slaves on
the continent." Abdul-Ra muttered to himself.
	"Yes, Lord Splynncryth is a great boon to our business.  Without him this
whole marketplace would be nothing..." the creatures sycophantic chants to
the great Splugorth lord faded into the background of the marketplace as
the two slowly walked away.
	"Well we haven't found a pet for you yet, but we have found some very nice
clothes for you, and even a very attractive rune dagger that brings out the
color of your eyes so very well."
	"Oh, darling, I admit it has been fun.  Did you know the dress I bought
yesterday was made from the skins of the last of a whole race that was
exterminated just to create a scarcity in the marketplace.  It seems one of
the Splugorth found them before they discovered space travel and scattered
all over the place.  It's really a pity...they had such beautiful hides."
	"It's really unfortunate you have your heart set on a biped.  I have a
minion who specializes in enslaving feline species who works in this
market."
	"No.  I really want to find a mortal just like that adorable human that
rescued me.  Besides, no offense dear, but I always have to stifle the urge
to gut your minions after I deal with them.  The only loyalty and honor
they possess resides in you."
	Abdul-Ra give a gruff chuckle, "I understand.  I feel the same about your
minions.  I think it has to do with being Demon or Deevil Lords.  They have
no choice but to be loyal to me.  I think that is one of things that first
sparked my interest in you.  Unlike our fellow Lords, you and I share a
concept of honor.  I had never encountered it before in a peer.  It's very
attractive," the Demon Lord purred as he brought his mate's hand to his
face.



	Ranma woke up feeling an overwhelming need for a bath.  The filth wasn't
on his hands it was on his soul.  The memories that filled him were those
of a coward, a bully, and generally an all around pathetic human being.
	"Ugh.  This is disgusting!"  Looking around to find the priest sitting
beside the bed, "It goes away, right?  I feel all these memories of that
pathetic man are mine.  I would squash this man like a bug, except it is
beneath my dignity," Ranma proclaimed, and then went cross-eyed as it
registered what he had said.
	"What happened!  I sound like Kuno!" Ranma unhappily complained.
	"Don't worry.  It's just this fellow's vocabulary.  All his memories will
fade away in about two days.  Make the most of them, and be reassured that
they're not yours."
	"I'd hope not.  The man's a cesspool.  What time is it?  I...he needs to
be back by morning.  I'll also need his clothes and the padding.  He
efficiently went about stripping the unconscious ninja and wrapping the
padding around himself.
	"I thank you for your services, priest.  I leave now, but let it be known
that if these memories linger longer than the two days promised you shall
feel my vengeance fall upon you," Ranma stated, feeling slightly queasy as
alien words poured from his mouth.  Without another word he leaped out of
the window into the night.



	The priest remained behind, gazing thoughtfully at the back of the
retreating martial artist.  In his mind he was going over the memories of
the two men whom he had probed.  Only rigorous training allowed him to keep
them separate from himself.  The plan had been Ueda-san's.  Ranma and Ranko
had seemed too suspicious to ignore and she felt they were hiding many
things from the New Empire.  The priest chuckled to himself.  Ranma
certainly did have secrets, but they seemed benevolent in regards to the
Empire.  At that moment Hashimoto woke.
	"No! No, you can't escape my power!  Wait, get away!  Cats, demons,
Amazons, dragons...argh!  They're all after me!  Get'em off!  Get'em off! 
Ack, another fianc�e?  No, not the hammer!" screamed the delirious ninja.
	"Seems our little ninja was too afraid to face the trials of another," the
priest passed his hand over the face of the thrashing, boxer clad ninja,
causing him to lapse into a more peaceful slumber.  "I think we'll wait
here two more days until you forget Ranma's life.  There are too many
secrets that need to be kept.  I'll stay awake and write up what I can of
Ranma's adventures in two days for Ueda-san.  I had better hurry, there's
much to write."
	He had just placed the unconscious man on the bed and sat at the desk when
he felt an overwhelming feeling of raw power behind him.  Turning, he saw a
lion headed man who appeared far too large to fit into the room, yet
somehow did.
	"You have access to many secrets, some of them mine, some belong to other
beings of power.  Normally I would slay you out of hand for taking what is
mine.  However, you have aided my champion.  For this reason only will I
spare your life.  You will sleep two days and neither you nor your
companion will keep any memories except your own.  Be grateful for my
mercy."
	As the shining entity finished its statement the priest found it
impossible to keep his eyes open and gradually slumped over until his head
lay on the desk.  Almost immediately the light filling the room began to
fade.
	Soon the only sound in the room was light snores and a quiet whisper that
quickly faded, "Damn Mind Mages.  Always poking their fingers into other
people's business."



	Chapter 18

	Ranma leaped out of the window and down to the alley behind the tavern. 
Not seeing any reason to be overly stealthy he simply walked around the
front of the building and to one of the fallen vehicles on the ground. 
Settling into the seat of the one he 'remembered' as his own, he punched in
the proper code and revved up the engine.  A moment later he raised the
vehicle to a hundred foot cruising altitude and headed toward the
headquarters where the gate would be in the morning.
	Ranma took a moment to glory in the motion of his skycycle.  So far the
best he could accomplish with his chi manipulation was a slow hovering. 
Flying at half the speed of sound through the clear night sky he could
appreciate the benefits.  Oh, sure he'd been punched and kicked hard enough
to send him ridiculous heights but those experiences always lacked control.
 Too emphasize this thought to himself he made the cycle dip, bob and weave
to a merry tune he hummed to himself.
	"If Hashimoto wasn't such a slime I might even thank him for this
experience."
	To keep his mind on his surroundings Ranma took note of how the
countryside and dirt roads gradually gave way paved roads and ever-larger
clusters of buildings.  At the point where the trees completely disappeared
and the buildings took on an almost monolithic quality he knew he had
arrived. 
	Aiming towards one of the huge skyscraper in the center of the city he
started the cycle's ascent.  Leveling off at the height of the landing site
he activated the radio and spoke the codes needed for a legitimate
approach.  It simply would not do to be shot down at this point. Bringing
the vehicle down lightly on one of the circular areas marked on the surface
he powered down and jumped off.  The maintenance crew would deal with the
mess.  It would be grossly out of character to care how much work others
had to perform to clean up his messes.
	"Why do you always leave your crap lying around?" growled a man in
coveralls as he walked up the abandoned cycle.
	"Why do you keep asking me that when you know I'm going to tell you shut
the hell up and do your job?" Ranma spit out, keeping his voice low and
husky.
	"Hmph.  Got a cold...so sad," the man stated in overdone sincerity.
	Ranma paused for a moment to glare at the fellow, then turned to stalk
towards the rooftop door.  Coughing for effect into his hand, he tapped in
the security code and stomped into the corridor beyond.  Making his way
swiftly towards his assigned room he was briefly grateful that Hashimoto
had no roommate 
	Ranma left his mask on and sat down on the narrow bunk that was the only
obvious piece of furniture in the room.  Ranma knew that a desk, monitor
and a small fridge would come out of the wall on command but chose to
simply sit and think for a moment.  Since he would only be in the building
for a few hours it was safest to wear the mask.  It would be easier to
explain why he wore it than why he looked nothing like Hashimoto.
	According to his new memories Hashimoto had no access to any truly
sensitive information.  They only informed him of his assignment just
before he was sent on a mission.  High security areas, records and
computers were kept in the basement and Hashimoto had no real hacking or
security skills anyway.  Neither did Ranma.  This eliminated the obvious
sources of information that he had access to and the fact that he left in
the morning meant he didn't have time to use other people to get
information either.  No one really liked Hashimoto anyway.
	Ranma shook his head.  It appeared he would have to wait until after the
gate to search for the Shogunate's Atlantean patron.  It was too bad he
couldn't find anything important out for the New Empire but that would have
to keep until he knew more.  Nabiki had a point, his mission dwarfed
anything happening between the Empire and Shogunate.  Still if he saw an
opportunity to help he certainly would make a point to exploit it. 
Anything Goes specialized in exploiting weaknesses.  It also specialized in
midair combat and panty raids, but those things didn't seem to apply at the
moment.
	


	Ryouga looked out the window at the sun's position and then around the
room.  The room was spacious and had a lot of comfy looking western style
sofa, but the books and magazines scattered around the tables made it clear
that this was just a place to wait until you were sent for.  
	Things had gone rather well.  Matsuda had agreed to be his middle man in
the initial talks with the board members.  Apparently his part in the
defense of the Council building had done amazing things for both Ryouga's
and Matsuda's visibility and credibility.  It had at least bought a
personal meeting to allow Ryouga to offer the terms Nabiki had dictated to
him.
	He shuddered.  He had known attracting Nabiki's interest would be bad. 
After all he simply had to look at the hideous things she had done to Ranma
in the past, but he hadn't realized the true horror until recently.  The
threats, the bribes, the contingency plans.  He had heard cram school was
like that but Nabiki took it to a new level.  He almost felt sorry for the
Council, they didn't have any idea what they were stepping into.  Never the
less he had no choice if he didn't want Nabiki to expose his secret to
Akane.  His poor heart would shatter if he saw the inevitable hurt and
betrayal in her eyes.  Not to mention the pain that would quickly follow. 
He had firmly decided that Akari was the girl for him, but Akane still drew
him like a lodestone and it would kill him to see hatred when she looked at
him.
	He was still contemplating the unfortunate situation he was in when he
felt a change in air pressure in the room and a slight breeze behind him. 
Turning he witnessed an eight foot tall humanoid shimmer into existence. 
Ryouga being the paranoid martial artist that he was immediately assumed
that he was about to come under attack and quickly unslung his umbrella.  
	One of the glittering gems covering the surface of the creature flashed
and the previously slow movements increased in speed as it lunged towards
the slightly surprised martial artist.
	"Good feint, I underestimated you for a moment," Ryouga shouted to the
creature as he caught the rush on the tip of the umbrella.  With a grunt of
effort he heaved the thing into the ceiling where it hung for a second
before plummeting to the floor.  Ryouga took advantage of the creature's
movement to ready a huge uppercut to the chin of the monster.  The force of
the blow forced the thing headfirst through several layers of the
reinforced floor before it's momentum was stopped.
	"What the heck are you made of?" Ryouga wondered aloud as he massaged his
knuckles.  He hadn't hurt his hand but was surprised at the solidity of the
creature.  At had felt as if he had struck a metal object.  Of course most
metal structures were demolished when he stuck them and he had felt no give
from the creature.  Despite this he was surprised when the figure's
protruding legs started kicking and it slowly began to work free of the
hole Ryouga had stuck it in.
	Ryouga quickly recovered from the shock and began to strike the thing's
body as it descended.  His first assessment proved accurate as repeated
pummeling showed no effect.  Seeing simple force was not having the desired
effect he decided to give himself some time to think.  Walking over the
dangling legs he grabbed hold of them and pushed upward, forcing the
creature back into the hole he had created.  Although the thing resisted
Ryouga found he was easily able to keep the legs stationary while he
pushed, though he was unable to force the limbs to bend where he wanted
them.
	Plans flickered across his consciousness to be examined and discarded. 
The breaking point wouldn't work, he sensed no weaknesses or chi nodes from
the thing he held.  It may have felt like a metal statue but his senses
told him nothing more.  It could obviously be immobilized, but that was
simply a delaying tactic.  If he were outside in a deserted area he was
confident he could bury it deep enough to keep it for a few centuries. 
Inside the building this course of action would be inappropriate.   
	One of the jewels flashed again after a breeze that indicated displaced
air, the Lost Boy suddenly found his arms empty.  Before he could do more
than stare at them in puzzlement he felt himself grabbed from behind and
flung into the wall.  Pulling himself from the newly created crater he
looked at his adversary in annoyance.
	"Well that was surprising.  Harmless, but surprising.  Your blows felt
like those of a baby," Ryouga taunted.  He actually wasn't far from the
truth.  He had felt the blow but the minor bruise was fading even as he
thought about it.
	Another gem flashed and suddenly a glowing sword was in the hands of the
creature.  Ryouga's eyes widened slightly as he saw the power level of the
fight increasing slightly.  Of course the real problem was the creatures
invulnerability, not the weapons or fancy tricks.  He could try to jump out
the window and lead the thing to the park for burial.  Then again if it
could teleport perhaps he would have less success than he thought.
	While he was entertaining these thoughts he was absent mindedly parrying
the creatures flaming sword with his own umbrella, although he was unhurt
the thing's blows were forming deep smoldering gashes on the walls around
them.  Finding an opening he moved forward, grasping the outstretched arm
and used it to swing the creature around and into several walls in turn. 
While the move was a success it did not drop the sword, forcing Ryouga to
maneuver himself to avoid being singed.  Sighing in disgust he finished the
move by flinging the monster away into the wall opposite him.
	As it imbedded itself into the wall he opened his umbrella and sent it
hurtling towards the creature.  Another gem flashed and suddenly he found
himself picked up by a huge gust of wind and slammed into the wall behind
him.  Annoyed, he looked towards his foe only to see his own weapon blown
towards him.  Eyes wide with dismay, he was about to wrest himself away
from the wall when he saw another gem flash out of the corner of his eye. 
As he attempted to throw himself to the side of the oncoming projectile he
found himself unnaturally fastened to the wall and quite incapable of
movement.
	"Shit!  Roaring Lion Bullet!" shouted Ryouga calling forth a chi blast
that knocked the projectile through an adjacent wall.  "Damn!  If I've
scratched my umbrella I'll find a way to take it out of your hide! 
Silhouette Breaking Point Reversed!"  This forced the wall to explode away
from him around his body.  Unfortunately it left large parts of the broken
wall sticking to the martial artist's back.
	Ryouga gave a grunt of surprise as he brought his attention back to the
creature only to find it almost upon him.  Whirling completely around he
initiated a hasty spin kick.  He was only mildly shocked to find that the
thing had grabbed his ankle.  It had been a fairly pathetic kick, he
admitted to himself.  Acknowledging the creature's momentary advantage he
braced himself to be thrown into another wall.  After a few seconds of
bracing for impact he craned his neck around to examine the thing.
	Frozen in position with its arm outstretched was what seemed to be a
statue.  Unmoving it had Ryouga's ankle grasped in its hand but simply
wasn't doing anything.  Ryouga got tired of waiting and used his strength
to swing his foot down.  
	While he was successful in his attempt to stand on his feet Ryouga felt a
lingering sense of dismay as he stared at the ground at his feet.  He
sighed as he took an experimental step forward and idly wondered if the
board would notice an eight foot obsidian statue attached to his 
leg. 
	"Eh?  What happened to you?  Forget to eat your Wheaties this morning?"
asked a disgruntled Ryouga to the immobile figure.
	"The Council will see you now.  I hope you weren't bored by the wait..." a
female voice called from outside.
	At that moment the door to the waiting room opened.  Slowly it swung to
its full extension and then fell in a neat arc to land flat on the floor,
shattering into several pieces.  A nervous office girl cautiously peeked
through the door, her eyes wide with horror and shock as she took in the
huge gaping holes in the walls and ceiling.
	"No.  Not at all.  A very relaxing stay.  Heh, heh," Ryouga chuckled as he
nervously held his hand to the back of his neck.  He then nonchalantly
walked out of the room, pausing only to pick up his umbrella.  He was
slowed at the door due to the statue getting stuck in the doorframe. 
Giving the two-ton ankle decoration a hard yank, he continued to saunter
down the corridor leaving a trail of the broken frame behind him.
	Patting his pocket he checked to make sure the speech Nabiki had prepared
was in place, checking with his other hand to make sure his hair was in
place and trying to get off the pieces of the wall struck to his back. 
Nabiki said it was very important to make a good first impression.



	Ryouga was rather pleased with how well the speech had gone.  The audience
had seemed riveted to his words.  Of course they did have a tendency to
give sidelong glances at the thing attached to his leg.  And the clattering
the bits of the wall made as the adhesion effect wore off had been slightly
distracting too.  But in general he thought it had gone well.
	"So in conclusion I would like to point out that four percent is very fair
for the services and guarantees that Tendo Unlimited is willing to offer." 
He looked around the group noticing that they were still staring at him
with a slightly vacant expression.  "Any questions?"
	"Er...yes!" one of the older fellows at the table spoke up.  "What exactly
is that thing attached to your leg?"
	Ryouga frowned to himself, he knew he should have thrown a rag or tarp
over the statue thing.  "It's just some monster.  I was actually referring
to Nabiki's...I mean...my speech."
	"Why is it attached to your leg?"
	"I don't know.  It just shut down while I was in the middle of beating the
snot out of it," Ryouga exaggerated slightly.  After a thoughtful pause,
"Have you thought of fumigating or something?  We had a slight problem with
Lasae demons in Nerima but the pesky things didn't come back after we
fumigated the town," Ryouga helpfully offered.  "So do we have a deal?"
Ryouga anxiously inquired.
	"We...we'll have to think about it a bit," the man spoke up with a
slightly distracted air.  "However, if we do decide to enter into this
contract we won't agree to more than two percent," the man said, seeming to
gather his senses.
	Hmm, Nabiki said to under no circumstances accept less than two percent,
Ryouga thought to himself.  
	"Okay.  Two percent it is," Ryouga smiled to himself at getting such a
great deal for Nabiki.



	Ranma looked around at the almost deserted room.  Off in the distance an
automated cleaning crew swept the floor.  The door he had entered from was
actually several hundred feet away, bringing home the sheer size of the sub
basement chamber.  On the floor surrounding him were several dozen circles,
each tingling in that distracting fashion that signaled the presence of
strong magic.
	The only other real person in the room was a single black robed mage. 
Various mystic symbols adorned the robe probably announced his rank and
position to those who could interpret them.  He seemed safely ensconced
behind a protective dome like force field emanating from a large circle
that seemed to be connected to several other glowing circles.
	"Your precautions don't inspire me with the safety of this procedure,"
Ranma stated derisively.  He intended to keep up his fa�ade until the end.
	"We don't require the foot soldiers in our army be inspired.  All we
require from you is instant obedience.  Our records show you to be
competent.  We intend to make you the best," the mage droned, obviously
having done this numerous times.
	"You seem pretty safe in there.  I bet it would take something really big
to get through that."
	"Larger than anything you will likely ever encounter," the mage confirmed,
his attention elsewhere.  "Step into the light."
	"Light?  What light," Ranma asked puzzled until a new tingling announced
the presence of magic next to him.  "Oh.  That one."
	"Are you the only one who has the coordinates to where I'm going?" Ranma
asked subtly.
	"At the moment.  Now stop talking and start walking," commanded the mage,
irritation beginning to show.
	"Oh look, a ten yen piece!" shouted Ranma enthusiastically pointing behind
the mage.
	"Stop babbling about change and go already," shouted the now furious
circle master.
	"Damn, I hate rich people.  No appreciation for the little things in
life," muttered Ranma.  "Okay here's to something really big!"
	Gathering his breath and his chi powers, he shouted, "Look out!  It's a
bomb!"  Sure enough this time the mage actually looked over his shoulder,
giving Ranma time to build up his chi to his highest levels
	"Breaking Point Apocalypse," shouted Ranma while pouring his entire supply
of chi into the ground around him.  Barely able to stand in the aftermath
of the technique he staggered over to the luminous portal and fell through
it.  Behind him the last he heard was a slight rumble as reactions began
deep in the bowels of the earth and one man calling out a question in a
slightly worried voice.
	"Bomb?  Are you sure?  I don't see anything."



	Many miles away a dragon arched his head up and canted it to one side. 
His prey had announced his presence.  Loudly.  It would be rude if he
didn't accept his invitation.  In a dazzling display of magic the dragon
disappeared.



	The mage looked around, a worried intent expression on his face.  It was
only natural to be concerned when someone shouts a warning about a bomb and
then leaps away as if to escape.  Admittedly he didn't see a bomb, but
those tremors seemed to be rapidly gaining force.
	He had just coming to a decision and turned on his communicator to contact
internal security when an incredibly large serpent materialized in the
ground outside the force dome.
	"Where is she?  Where is the dead woman?  I have come to collect," roared
the dragon.
	"Gah!  Security!  Security!  Alert!  A huge dragon just teleported through
our wards!  Scramble everything!  Class A Emergency!"  was as far as he got
before the earth started to move in earnest.
	Unlike the previous tremors, the earth began shaking with enough force to
knock down anything left unsecured and just increased in intensity.  Within
moments cracks appeared in the armored and reinforced walls and floors. 
Soon after, the floor began to explode.  In many ways in was like being in
an erupting volcano.  Where holes were blown, gouts of compressed chi
heated molten stone burst upward.  Each spew of magma seemed to herald a
dozen more in reaction until the huge basement area was filled with liquid
stone that quickly built up pressure and began to climb upwards, floor by
floor the interior of the building.
	As for the dragon, the tremors were ignored as the serpents huge body
whipped agitatedly around, unsupported by the ground.  The first series of
explosions stunned the creature knocking it to the ground where it quickly
became battered by earth and fire.  Desperately attempting to get to its
feet among the molten stone it screamed in rage and pain, as its body was
seared by the trap left for it by the mortal.  After several agonizing
minutes it managed to gather enough concentration to teleport away from
hideous deathtrap, bellowing curses and promises of vengeance. 
	For those in the city outside the building it heralded the start of a
peculiar spectacle that lasted many hours.  The heavily armored exterior of
the building acted to contain the magma far better than the interior walls,
floors, and windows.  This resulted in the tower becoming the oddest
looking fountain in the history of the Shogunate as crimson glowing rock
poured out the windows and top of the Otomo security building.
	This combined with the constant hum and buzz of emergency rescue vehicles
as they raced to evacuate the people remaining in the building, kept the
local populace awake and entertained well past nightfall.  
	By morning the building was nothing more than a slightly heated,
unyielding stone monument.
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	Here ends Part Two of the Journey 
	Started 03-24-99 finished 11-29-99
	Revision 1.0
	Please send any question or comments to daniel.ruth@worldnet.att.net 
	The newest version of this story can be found at
http://home.att.net/~daniel.ruth
	



-- 
                 .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List---.
                 | Administrators - ffml-admins@fanfic.com |
                 | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@fanfic.com |
                 |     Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject    |
                 `---http://www.fanfic.com/FFML-FAQ.txt ---'