Darkened Images
By David Farr
Chapter 5
Disclaimer: The characters of Ranma 1/2 belong to Rumiko Takahashi and
are used here without permission.
Warning: Darkened Images contains themes that are definitely NOT FOR
CHILDREN. If you are a child and reading this, sorry, go read something
else, I don't want to get in trouble if you have nightmares about this
stuff.
Find other parts at:
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~djfarr/
*****
Slowly she inched across the floor towards the girl, sliding up
next to her without getting a reaction. Her hand reached out and she
gripped the girls chin, raising it to look into her face.
Her eyes were unfocussed, and she stared blankly up at Scarlet.
The ninja girl had a fair idea what had happened to her, but there was
one thing she was absolutely sure of. 'This is NOT Akane Tendo.'
At that moment the door slammed open behind her. Scarlet let the
girl's chin go, and spun about. Standing there, a katana in hand, was the
young master of the house.
Scarlet flipped backwards from a sword swipe, planting her hand
on the table and launching herself back behind the girl. "Peace!" she
cried holding up her hands in a defensive position.
Kuno glared across the table, and the catatonic girl. "You invade
my home, and now you wish peace?! You have much gall, wench! Now,
identify yourself!"
"I am a ninja, hired to return Kasumi, Nabiki and Akane Tendo to
their father. I thought you may have had some part of it." She glanced at
the girl. "Obviously my assumption was incorrect."
"So, you work for the beauteous goddess' father, how...
unlikely."
Scarlet straightened and stared passively at Kuno, although he
could scarce tell behind her mask. "Truly. Mr Tendo is not my employer
and has never encountered me."
"Then who would be interested in all three of his daughters."
Scarlet spread her hands in mock helplessness. "I am unable to
reveal that information. My clients hire me for... deniability."
"I should have guessed." He snorted. "It is obvious that you have
not been very successful, if you mistook me for a kidnapper and this," he
waved at the girl, "for Akane."
"Maybe it is not Akane," Scarlet paused and looked at the girl
thoughtfully, "but she has come under the influence of many drugs and
spells to render her into her current state." She turned her head to look
at corner, the black pits of her mask's eyes drilling into him.
"Certainly the type of work that the men who took Akane would perform."
"You know of this?" he waved a hand at her.
"Deprogramming is one of the services I can offer, with the help
of my allies. And to deprogram, we must learn to recognise the effects of
programming. It is that simple. Now tell me: why do you have a girl,
whose will has been enslaved, locked up in your house?"
"That is none of your business," Kuno replied arrogantly.
"Then I'll make it the police's business. I'm sure the search
alone would put you on the spot."
Kuno snorted. "As you wish then, ninja, I will tell you. I did
attempt to rescue Akane Tendo, after I was informed that she was about to
be sold by her kidnappers. However, I was betrayed and received this poor
creature instead. As her condition is unsuitable for society, not to
mention unstable, I decided to take on the role of caring for her."
"She didn't sound to happy about it earlier," Scarlet commented.
"It is unfortunate, but whatever those fiends did to this rare
flower seems flawed. She is prone to snap out of the lifeless state you
see her in, and fly into a violent rage." He shook his head. "Tis a pity,
that one so young should be cast so low."
Scarlet slid onto the table and lifted the girl's face again. "I
might be able to do something to help her. Or at least find someone that
can."
"And the price of that would be?"
The ninja shot a glare at him, then looked back at the girl. His
question made her sound mercenary, which she was anything but.
Unfortunately, that was her cover. "Aid me in finding the three Tendo
girls."
"You are ever fixated on your current employment. I approve." He
turned and paced towards the door, an action Scarlet thought imprudent.
"I will offer you more instead. My representative, while unable to
recover Akane Tendo, was able to find who she was," he paused, a sick
look passing over his face, "sold to. I will lead you there if you aid me
in rescuing her and returning her to her father."
"Why didn't you rescue her yourself?" Scarlet was cautious. The
boy seemed harmless, but he could have been the wise jester for all she
knew.
"I attempted to, however I was unable to make it beyond the fence
of the estate on which she was being held. Even as I stepped onto the
land, a supernatural terror did grip my heart, forcing me to flee. I
steeled my heart and tried many times, but to no avail." He paused,
looking dramatically tragic. "To make a heart such as mine tremble, it
must surely have been the work of sorcerers."
Scarlet nodded. "Sounds like a typical ward against intruders,"
she mused aloud for Kuno's sake. Straightening, she looked at him. "I
will help you, if you agree to follow my instructions. Remember, I have
experience in this, you don't."
"You have my agreement. When shall we depart on our mission?"
"I will need to seek an associate of mine to aid us in this.
Breaking wards are slightly beyond my capabilities and if sorcerers are
involved, I want some magic on my side."
Kuno's frown showed his displeasure. "I cannot abide using magic
to battle. Such is the way of evil."
"You agreed to follow my lead on this, Kuno."
"Truly, I did. Then I shall trust your judgement," he looked
puzzled for a second. "It has occurred to me that I know not your name?"
Smiling, the ninja reached up and pulled her pony-tail free,
letting its fiery length flow down her back. "Call me Scarlet, everybody
else does." She started around the table. "I shall return in the next two
hours, if everything goes well. Be prepared to leave then."
*****
Nodoka now sat upon the chair, which had been dragged before the
desk, half facing the Shard. The Shard kept his half-amused grin as Rose
paced back and forth. None of them were paying much attention to the
monitors on the wall.
"So that is all you have found?" Nodoka inquired of Rose.
"That is all."
"Unfortunate. I wonder who, or what, your brother got then, if he
did not receive Tendo."
"I was considering breaking in, but with my other commitments, I
can not afford to wait until my brother and Sasuke let their guard down,"
she sighed. "I am sorry I could not be of more help."
"Never mind, child," Nodoka replied soothingly. "You have been
surprisingly candid." Her hooded head swung to face the Shard. "And what
have you heard?"
"Not much, I'm afraid," he replied, spreading his hands. "I've
heard a few rumours of a man that seems to have a lot of influence in the
Yakuza pulling strings, but not much more." He smiled reassuringly. "You
must understand, it has been only one day."
"I do understand," Nodoka nodded. "I just feel restless thinking
about those girls in the hands of a man with such wide ranging ties to
the underworld. Especially one who can hide such ties."
"So you should," Rose affirmed. "It is a disgusting thought."
The Shard leant forward, unfolding his arms to lean on the desk.
"How is the father taking it? If you don't mind me asking."
"Too well, I'm afraid." Nodoka replied. "He was a wreck when we
arrived, but now he seems to be pinning all his hopes on my son and I.
Worst, he seems to think everything will be alright when the girls
return."
Both of the others shook their heads sadly, but it was the Shard
that spoke. "Nodoka, if you need to talk, I'm here for you." His smile
had gone from being a distant mask to a more warm, caring look.
"Thank you," the other replied. Her cowl hid her expression, but
the tones told of something shared between the two.
For a moment Rose looked between them, wondering. She had been
trained to observe, and for the first time in her life, she wished she
wasn't so good at it, then, at least, she wouldn't feel so uncomfortable.
The Shard leant back in his chair and, as he folded his hands
once more, he once more became the distant, yet jovial, man. "Anyway,
Nodoka, there was something I meant to ask you tonight, before we got
side-tracked."
"Oh?"
"Yes, do you wish me to notify your father of your location?"
Nodoka gave a large snort, and turned away. "The old man can
forget me, for all I care. I told him twenty years ago that I never
wanted to see him again, and I meant it!"
"Twenty years?" Rose whispered in surprise.
"And you haven't, have you?" The Shard inquired. "I think you
might want to, he wasn't in very good condition."
"Hmph! The moment he lays eyes on either Ranma or I, is the
moment we get sucked right back into that blasted empire of his. And I
will not have that for my family!"
The Shard opened his mouth, but his retort was halted by a knock
on the door. He looked at both of the others with a raised eyebrow.
"Enter!" he called. The door was pushed open by Scarlet, who strode
quickly into the room, followed immediately by the shadowy guard from the
roof. Both strode across the room, Scarlet looking much more confident
than her companion.
"We have a problem." Scarlet said simply, not even acknowledging
her mother or Rose.
The Shard raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"According to the boy Kuno, Akane Tendo is being held by
practitioners of the arcane arts. Unfortunately, he wants to rescue them
himself."
"That sounds like him," Rose sighed.
Scarlet glanced at Rose, but quickly returned her attention to
the Shard. "Your judgement, Shard."
The Shard leant forward to rest his elbows on the desk and tented
his fingers before him. "Obviously this needs investigating. I take it
you wish to do so."
Scarlet nodded in answer, and the Shard continued. "Yes, but I'll
need some help." She nodded her head at the shadow standing beside her.
"Ucchan here will do."
The shadow recoiled. "What did you call me?!"
Scarlet turned. "Ucchan, it's what I've always called you," she
replied with a casual shrug. In truth she had never been so thankful for
her mask, it hid her cheeky smile.
"Ranchan?" Scarlet nodded in answer to her question. "B-but how?"
She poked at her chest, wondering.
"Is ancient Chinese curse. But that's not important right now.
Yes, I am Ranma, and yes I know you're Ukyo." She turned back to the
Shard. "Well, sir?"
He flicked his eyes to Rose. "Do you wish to go?"
Rose looked thoughtful for a second. "No, I do not think so.
Personal reason, you understand."
Nodding the Shard returned his attention to the pair before his
desk. "Both of you have weapons of final judgement?" He inquired in all
seriousness and received two nods in reply. "Good, then go. But Scarlet,
be wary, this is Shadow's first field mission, and I want her back."
"Yes, sir." They pair turned and marched out.
*****
"... and now cold water turns me into a girl, and hot water
back." Scarlet landed lightly, pausing only for a moment before springing
up and continuing across the rooftop.
"So what do you do if you're splashed while you're out and
about?" Shadow asked from right behind her. Still wrapped in her protect
aura of shadows, the apparent boy was now holding her large weapon,
although it was still obscured by the darkness.
"Ah, that's where my sister, Ranko, comes in," Scarlet replied
wisely.
"You don't have a sister called Ranko."
"Its a peculiarity of the curse, it gave me a split personality."
She launched herself into the air, sailing across the gap between the
buildings, and landing with a good meter clearance. "Unfortunately, Ranko
is a total opposite to me. Very girlie, cute, and totally useless in a
fight."
"I feel sorry for her," Shadow's tone carried her smirk. "But
don't you find it annoying being unable to defend yourself?"
"It's important to be true to the reflection, and not let anyone
see the truth underneath." A smaller leap carried Scarlet over a vent.
"Still sucks playing the damsel in distress."
"Not a role I can see you taking easily, no." Shadow dodged
around the vent as she spoke. "Speaking of roles, how did you know it was
me?"
"That bloody big spatula you carry," came the reply as Scarlet
dropped out of sight over the edge. "You let it show on the first night,
and when I saw you this morning, it clicked."
Shadow fell into a crouch at the bottom of the two-story drop to
the next roof. "I should have known." She shot off after her friend. "So,
you trust Kuno, even after what he did?"
"Not as far as I can throw him and his entire fortune," Scarlet
returned. "But he knows where Akane is, and I doubt he'd tell me
willingly, so he has me in a bind." Up ahead the pair could see the large
spread of the Kuno estate. "Looks like we're here."
The red-head ninja and her shadow clad ally dropped into the
garden in complete silence. Taking the lead, the more experienced girl
directed her companion through the traps and training devices set up in
the yard. Finally they reached the porch where Kuno stood, waiting them
"At last you have returned, my fiery ninja," Kuno exclaimed.
"I'm not YOUR anything!" Scarlet snapped back.
"And in the company of such a demonic individual." Kuno
continued, ignoring her interruption. "Will this one truly be able to aid
us in rescuing the fair Akane Tendo from the foul bondage her sorcerous
captors?"
"I know of no better mage in Nerima," Scarlet replied. "If she
can't help us, no one can."
"Excuse me," Shadow interjected. "Did you just call me demonic?"
"I believe that description passed my lips, yes."
"Ah." Shadow nodded. "Guess you've never met a real demon."
Kuno stood confused for a moment, wondering how the young man had
shrugged off the insult so easily. "It matters not," he cried, "we must
be off."
*****
Scarlet went to rub her eyes, but stopped when she realised how
pointless it would be wearing her mask. So instead she settled for
blinking. "Just how long has this been here?!" she demanded of the other
two.
The "this" in question was an old mansion, most definitely
western in style. Scarlet may not have studied much in the way of
architecture - just enough to spot the best places to sneak in - but even
she could tell the difference between the rice-paper walls of traditional
Japan and the solid brickwork of a Victorian mansion.
Gaps in the cloud cover allowed the moon to flicker across the
large forested estate in which the house sat. The moonlit gardens
overflowed with twisted plants and vines, and every so often shapes could
be seem darted across the pools of silvery light.
The house itself oozed menace, windows and doors forming a face
that leered down on anyone foolish enough to approach. Boards covered
many of the lower floor windows, but many of the curtains of upper story
were moving in the winds.
The trio stood on a ridge some distance away, hidden against the
sky despite the light pollution from the city beyond them. Shadow knelt
peering down at the house, his aura churning about him as he
concentrated, making him a constantly changing blob on the ground between
the other two.
"What kind of idiot falls for something like this?!" Scarlet
demanded.
"Truly it is an eyesore," Kuno commented. "But it is within this
edifice that the fair Akane Tendo is held, so we must go within."
"That answers that," Scarlet mumbled, before turning on the
Samurai. "Doesn't it strike as a little odd?" she demanded. "Or even
unrealistic?"
"Nay, for such places are often the haven for foul sorcerers."
"Just outside the suburbs of Tokyo?!" Scarlet's stance screamed
her disbelief. "That thing is an escapee from a cheap Victorian Horror
Novel!" She gestured wildly at the house. "I expect to hear the howl of
the Hound of Darkmoor shortly!"
As if on cue, a large unearthly howl went up. Kuno turned, trying
to locate the sound, but it seemed to come from all about them. In
contrast Scarlet merely shot the house a disgusted glare.
"It's not there, Scarlet," Shadow commented, his head cocked
within the darkness of his aura.
Scarlet turned on the mage. "So what do you see?" her voice was
suddenly calm.
Shadow shrugged. "Enough wards to hold off a small army,
straining to keep in enough magic to blow up a small town. Other than
that, there's a run-down house in the centre of the clearing, and a
powerful magic source under it."
"What speaketh thou?" Kuno demanded. "The monstrous domicile is
as plan as day."
"Actually, Kuno, what you're seeing is an illusion," Scarlet
explained, stepping forward. "Badly crafted too, since it stands out like
a sore thumb."
"Truly, I find that hard to believe."
"That's because there is so much power behind it. If you haven't
got some form of magic protection, you are forced to believe it." Shadow
paused. "That's actually very worrying."
Scarlet nodded. "Yes. It means we're dealing with a bunch of
children throwing around lit dynamite." She returned her attention to
Shadow as he straightened. "Any ideas on how to sneak in?"
"I could dance the wards with ease, and I'm sure you could too.
They're so sloppy that you'd have to be distortion blind to trip one." He
glanced at Kuno. "Which is our problem, isn't it?"
"Can you hack them?" Scarlet inquired.
"Not without setting off some alarm bells." Shadow hung his head
in shame. "Sorry, but unravelling wards isn't my speciality. However I
think I might be able to shift your and his sights to take the illusion
into account, but it won't be pleasant."
Kuno frowned. "I do not pretend to understand what it is you plan
to do, but I will do anything to rescue Akane Tendo."
Scarlet nodded. "Do it."
"Okay, I warned you." Shadow stood straight, his aura pulling in
to hug his boody tightly. Slowly brought his hands together touching his
index fingers together while curling the rest and then lifting them in
front of his face before beginning his chant.
"Serpent of Darkness, hear you loyal servant's entreaty,"
Shadow's aura slid across his body, separating to become a giant
pitch black snake. If it had not been night, Shadow himself would have
been visible through the gaps.
"Extend your ebony coils and embrace my companions,
The snake extended itself from the canting mage, to encircle
Scarlet three times before slithering up Kuno's form.
"Protect their hearts from the unnatural fear we face,
Kuno recoiled as the snake's maw reared up before his face, but
the serpent merely hissed before turning its head to face Shadow once
more.
"And aid them with the sight that only you my grant,
Black lightning played across the serpent and the pair. Ignoring
it, her hidden eyes closed, Scarlet stood straight, trying not to think
of, or feel, the demon touch her body.
"So that we may deliver the world unto thee."
As Shadow's chant ended the serpent faded from sight, and his
aura renewed itself.
"Truly a most disgusting--" Kuno started, then broke off
suddenly. His voice was strangely loud, as if he was shouting, yet he had
barely uttered his words. The last sounds of his voice were swallowed by
the shadows about them, leaving the trio standing in a silence that beat
upon their ears harder than any noise.
"The darkness," Scarlet whispered in the silence, yet was still
easily heard.
"Horrible, isn't it." Shadow stepped forward. "I wouldn't examine
each other, or yourself, too closely, the Serpent's sight is not too
kindly."
Taking her advice Scarlet stepped forward and instead examined
the estate below once more. The mansion was replaced with a wreck of a
house that looked more pathetic than frightening, and much of what had
been gardens was now forest.
"What is this?" Kuno demanded, his voice still too loud in the
absolute silence.
"What you see and hear is the world as viewed by those that are
the dark," Shadow explained. "Little life, little light." He waved behind
them, and Kuno turned to find the once glowing city dimmed to almost
non-existence. "Only sounds and sights that are dangerous or evil carry
far."
"Truly an evil vision," Kuno murmured.
"Maybe, but tricks of the light are fairly useless against ones
with this sight. A nice side effect is that we'll be able to slip
straight the wards."
"Yeah, binding the serpent of darkness to yourself is great that
way," Scarlet murmured. "Come on, let's go!" She leapt over the edge of
the ridge, vanishing into the darkness.
Kuno stepped up to the edge and watched her bouncing from ledge
to ledge. "Onward! The imprisoned damsel awaits us!" He too stepped
forward, but slid down the slope in an avalanche of pebbles.
"What a moron," Shadow groaned before following.
*****
The soft crunching of the leaf litter roared in their ears as
they crept through the utterly silent woods. All three moved with
exaggerated caution, the pall of silence hanging heavily over them. Every
movement in the shadows brought their attention, but was quickly
dismissed as it flittered away.
To the refined sights of Scarlet and Shadow the ground beneath
their feet was criss-crossed with the softly glowing lines of the many
magical wards that surrounded the cabin. The work was obviously hurried,
many of the magical lines already fading or broken, yet still very much
active. Thankfully Shadow's spell allowed them to cross without so much
as a quiver in the wards.
Their progress was halted suddenly when Scarlet froze, her eyes
fixed on shapes moving in the murky distance.
Shadow moved up next to her, pulling out his large spatula. "What
is it?" he whispered.
"Trouble," the other replied. "Wait here." She took off at a run.
"What is happening?" Kuno inquired, stepping up next to Shadow.
"Something's ahead. Scarlet's just--" she broke off as the ninja
reappeared.
"Hell hounds."
"What?" the other two asked, baffled.
"They're a European myth. Dogs supposedly possessed by a demon.
We've got four." Scarlet grinned. "A little tough to fight, but I should
be able to distract them. Wait for thirty seconds, then head for the
house." She vanished before the others could argue.
"Why does she insist on taking care of this?"
"Because she knows how to and we don't," Shadow replied simply,
not taking her eyes off the shapes moving in the distance.
As Scarlet shot through the undergrowth, arcing around to come at
the dogs from the side, she pulled a small pouch from her clothes. It
took only moments more for her to appear before the animals.
They were huge slavering brutes, well deserving of the name Hell
Hound. They turned to glare at her, eyes burning red with supernatural
malice. Drops of saliva hung from the jowls trying to escape to the
ground. For a moment the courageous ninja was paralysed in fear, but only
a moment. She turned suddenly, leaping to a full run.
Immediately the hounds barking and howling shattered the silence,
even as they crashed into the shrubs. Scarlet grinned beneath her mask,
and continued running. The creatures were fast, and in time they would
catch her, but cunning would win this battle.
As the first of the devil dogs made its first bite at her ankle,
Scarlet leapt upwards, coming to rest in the strong limbs of a large
tree. Beneath her the hounds continued to bay, gathering around the foot
of the tree. One leapt upwards at her, but fell short, its claws tearing
into the bark of the trunk.
"Scent of the Skunk," Scarlet whispered, and dropped her small
pouch.
The pouch struck the ground, popping open. Unseen, a cloud of
dust spread out, coating the dogs. Their howls were bitten off as the
foul stench of the dust reached their noses. They scattered into the
darkness, yipping like beaten puppies.
*****
Scarlet melted out of the darkness, her arrival bringing little
comment.
"We're past the wards," Shadow informed her, without turning.
"How are the dogs?"
"They won't be able to smell anything for a week or two." She
looked at the small cabin. "So, our targets are waiting inside, hmm?"
"Looks that way."
Scarlet looked past her at Kuno. "You ready for the final
attack?"
"Always, fiery one."
Without reply, Scarlet shot forward, her two companions falling
in behind her. She made the porch quickly, and crossed it soundlessly,
passing the rotted and broken door that hung in its frame.
Inside she skidded to a halt, Shadow and Kuno stopping they're
run almost on top of her. They had all expected a small hallway with bare
wooden floors and rice paper walls. Instead they stood in a richly
appointed entryway, easily large then the house. Mahogany panels covered
the walls, and a set of stairs wound up to a mezzanine floor. The room
was brightly lit by a sparkling chandelier that hung above them, and the
carpet beneath their feet was a lush, blood red.
"Another illusion?" Kuno inquired, noting the many fine portraits
on the walls.
"No, this is real," Shadow replied cautiously, glancing around.
"It looks like they folded space so this manor exists instead of the
insides of the cabin."
Scarlet moved forward, her hand probing the space in front and to
her sides, seeking walls hidden behind illusion. "So, they got themselves
a small Japanese house, clothed it in an illusion of a Victorian manor,
and then put one inside it? What kind of magicians do that?"
"Those that like comfort," Kuno replied, "and are wasteful in
their power."
"Point," Scarlet allowed grudgingly. "So Shadow, any guesses
where we'll find our wizards?"
"The basement. Not only is there a strong concentration of magic
down there, but it's also as cliched as everything else in this place."
"In that case..." Scarlet reached over behind her back and Slowly
she pulled a long, thin blade from beneath her wrap. The hilt was thin,
and held no guard, sacrificing the protection for concealment. The edge
gleamed slightly in the light. "Shadow, drop the spell, I'd prefer to see
my prey with my own eyes."
Shadow nodded, then muttered quietly. Both Scarlet and Kuno gave
small sighs of relief as the magic sight left them. As soon as he was
done, Shadow reached behind him to grab his spatula. With a twist the
handle slid free of the flat head and he yanked out a blade similar to
Scarlet's.
"Both of you use swords?" Kuno inquired.
"Only when dealing with sorcerors," Scarlet replied, her voice
serious in its quiet tones. "Only they deserve the touch of our blades.
Let's go!"
As he followed behind the pair, Kuno could only wonder if
deserving such a thing was to be honored or feared. The battle awaiting
below would answer that in short order.
-----
Author's Notes:
Well so much for Akane getting rescued in this part. Maybe
next time. As always. I welcome C&C. MSTs and even nice little letters
saying stuff like "It's about time!"
-----------
David Farr
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~djfarr/
djfarr@ihug.co.nz katsuhito@planetjurai.com
"Die-cast construction, it's a lost art."
- Optimus Primal, Beast Wars.