RANMA 1/2 V
A fan-fic written by Force Vector based on the
characters and situations created by Rumiko Takahashi.
----------------------------
CHAPTER 7: Rescue
�� Konatsu was soaking wet.� Not a single drop from
the Chisuiton had reached Ranma-onna.� The figure
holding the Chisuiton couldn�t believe it, his eyes
bugged out.
�� "All right mister, my turn."� In one smooth motion,
Ranma-onna powered up her chi and fired.
�� Konatsu sensed the release and side-stepped at the
last possible moment.� The chi fireball slammed into
the Chisuiton and exploded it into smoky splinters,
the remaining water boiled away.
�� "Damn you, do you know what you just did!" The
figure stared at the hand that had held the
Chisuiton.� It was slightly charred.
�� Ranma-onna grinned evilly. �"Yeah."� In an
eyeblink, she was in front of him and a thousand fists
were pummeling away.
�� Getting over his surprise, the figure dodged the
high-speed attack and leapt over her.
�� Only to be pinned to the roof of the tent by a lot
of shurikens.
�� Ranma-onna faced Konatsu.� "I�m going to need your
help.� Do you think you can survive an Awakened
Dragon?"
�� The sound of tearing cloth filled the air, drowning
out Konatsu�s response.� The figure crashed into the
floor.
�� Jumping into a fighting stance, the figure sneered.
�"That�s the last time you�ll catch me unawares.� Once
I beat you girl, I, Weed, will take my sweet time
punishing you."� His insane laughter was on par with
Kodachi at her worst.
�� Ranma slapped her forehead and dragged her hand
down her face. *Give me a break!� I�d rather take on
Herb-onna than this yo-yo.*
�� In mid-laugh Weed struck with an attack similar to
the �Thousand Barrage� Ranma-onna had used.� Going
into defensive, Ranma-onna was surprised by what
happened next - her clothes were shredded. � Some of
Weed�s attacks were punches or slaps, most aimed at
the head to stun her, but for the most part the hands
would either squeeze her breast, pinch her nipples or
fondle between her� That does it, this is the last
time that pervert ever does that!
�� Forming a rough circle with her fingers, Ranma
discreetly absorbed Weed�s chi as she started the
spiral dance that would lead to the Awakened Dragon.�
She allowed herself to be abused as she channeled the
chi she'd stolen into the release of the dragon.
�� "Konatsu! Get Herb out of here."
�� Getting over her astonishment that Ranma-onna was
stripped naked in no time at all, Konatsu saw what was
intended.� Pulling out a diamond shaped throwing
dagger, Konatsu sliced the bonds holding Herb.� She
turned off the vibrator, gently pulled it out and
hurled it out the hole in the roof with all her
might.� She then assisted the weakened girl out of the
cot.
�� While Herb was massaging her arms, staring at the
combatants with slightly glazed eyes, Konatsu rooted
around for �decent� clothing.� She spotted a chest
with several gauzy items of apparel spilling out of
it.
��� Weed, being the uber-pervert he was, did not
notice what he was being led into.� His mind was in
ecstasy as his fast moving hands played all over
Ranma-onna�s body.� Several times his fingers had
slipped into her and she didn�t seem bothered.� *This
bitch must love what I�m doing! �I�m going to fuck her
brains out and keep on going!� Oh, what a delicious
body, better than that cow, Herb!* He was grinning
like an idiot, drool coursing down his chin as
scenario after scenario played in his mind.
�� Ranma-onna stepped into the last position and again
smiled evilly. *Good-bye asshole!* That was the last
thing that Weed saw as he was first crisped, then
blasted skyward.� The shock waves from the powered-up
attack blew out the tent and the various items in it,
leaving the three women in a circle of flattened
grass.
�� Relaxing from her attack pose, Ranma-onna looked up
and noted that Weed was still on his way up.
�� Someone stepped up to her.� Ranma-onna faced the
person and blinked her eyes twice.� It was Herb.� She
was shaking slightly.
�� Herb�s glazed eyes hardened.� Accompanied by a long
drawn-out ear-piercing scream, massive spheres of
eye-searing chi appeared on each hand, shafts of power
shooting out in all direction, her hair fanning out in
waves.
�� Bringing her arm up to blot out the intense light,
Ranma-onna saw Herb slowly look up.� Herb�s scream got
even more harsher, and brought both arms up
simultaneously.� The gap between the two spheres was
bridged and an erratic beam, akin to a lightning bolt,
shot out.
�� The world went white.
�� As her eyes slowly came into focus, the white dots
slowly dissipating, Ranma-onna heard Herb crying.
�� "Finish me, Ranma, I beseech you. I cannot live
like this."
�� She saw that Herb had crumpled in front of her, her
head bowed.� Ranma-onna also knelt and lifted Herb�s
chin so that she would look at her.
�� "It�s over Herb.� All we need to find is the
Kaisuifuu�"
�� Herb shook her head.� "It�s gone Ranma.� Weed had
it destroyed.� My only hope was the Chisuiton, but
you�"� The words caught as a painful sob shook Herb�s
body. � "I�m stuck as� as a girl� forever." She bowed
her head and started to cry again.
�� Unannounced, the heavens joined Herb.
�� "Raaaanmmmmaaaaaaa!"
�� Ranma-onna saw the others running towards them.�
Tatewaki had some stab wounds, Gosunkugi was carrying
an unconscious Plum wrapped in his greatcoat, while
the rest - Dr. Toufu, the Jusenkyo guide, Happousai
and Cologne - looked fine.
�� "We got problems." Cologne pointed in the direction
of the horde.
�� "Oh shit!� To the trees."� With Konatsu�s help,
Ranma-onna picked up a still weeping Herb and dashed
to the safety of the forest.� The others had dispersed
and took different routes - in the hopes that they
would be harder to spot separately than as a group.
�� Happousai and Cologne were the first to reach the
trees and guided the rest with the phones.
�� Ranma and Konatsu, with Herb in between, were only
a few steps behind the two.� Fortunate, since
Ranma-onna had lost her phone and night-vision goggles
to Weed�s undressing.
�� When Gosunkugi reached them, he handed Plum to
Cologne and moved off deeper into the forest.� "Wait
here until I say it�s safe to move."
�� Happousai whispered something to Cologne.� She
gently laid Plum down and stepped up to Herb.� Arms
ablur, Cologne struck Herb at several points.� Herb
collapsed and was soon breathing evenly.� Konatsu took
the time to re-clothe Herb.� She tossed another bundle
to Ranma-onna, who nodded gratefully.
�� "We couldn�t risk Herb revealing our position."�
Happousai apologetically explained while Ranma-onna
was dressing.� She noticed he was facing away from
them.
�� "Understood."� Ranma-onna could tell that Happousai
wanted to question her decision to bring Herb along,
since only Konatsu knew what had really happened.
�� Dr. Toufu arrived as the leading edge of the horde
landed on the devastated Musk Dynasty camp grounds.�
"Gosunkugi says its safe now to move."
�� Ranma-onna kept a running tally of the number of
winged warriors landing, she was starting to get
nervous.� "The others?"
�� "With him."
�� Konatsu picked up Herb, Cologne; Plum.� With
careful haste, they followed Dr. Toufu away from the
amassing horde.
��� During their flight, Gosunkugi had recounted to
Ranma-onna what had happened to Plum.� Ranma-onna in
turn explained about Herb and Weed.� Until they could
find a safe place to rest and debate the merits of
having Herb along, the team had accepted Ranma-onna�s
decision.
�� Konatsu offered no explanation on her presence in
the group - most had more or less correctly assumed
her reason.� Only Happousai knew of her other
objective.� Whenever he glanced at her, she would wink
back.
�� The group reached the Jusenkyo guide�s house
without any incident.
�� Ranma-onna, Konatsu, Cologne and Happousai dashed
into the house and picked up their gear.� Even though
encumbered, the four returned in less than a minute.�
Konatsu then left to get her gear.
�� "Surprising that there isn�t a guard posted here."�
Ranma-onna remarked as she poured warm water on
herself.
�� "There was."� Gosunkugi replied smugly.
�� "Ah.� Another spell?"� Ranma debated whether he
should switch clothes.
�� "Similar to the one I used with the horde."
�� Happousai caught their attention.� "With Saffron�s
men currently occupied, I say we take the most direct
route to the Amazon village.� If we move at our
fastest pace, we should be there by dusk, tomorrow."
�� Everyone nodded at Happousai�s plan. �Konatsu had
returned from wherever she had cached her pack.
�� "I don�t think Saffron�s men will be duped that
long," Ranma pointed out, "At best we push ourselves
�til dawn. �From there we should find a place to rest
then continue on at our original pace."� He noticed
the guide was frowning after Dr. Toufu�s translation.
�� "To make sure no one gets left behind, I�ll carry
Herb in my arms.� Happousai, you have Plum.� Doc, can
you handle the guide on your back?"
�� Dr. Toufu had the guide climb his back.� He paced a
bit to get the feel of the weight.� "I should be able
to manage."
�� "Okay, the rest distribute their gear among
yourselves."
�� It didn�t take to long to shift Plum�s and her
father�s items around.
�� Ranma picked up the still sleeping Herb.�
"Cologne?� How long before she wakes up?"
�� Cologne was busy adjusting the straps of her pack.�
"The two should awaken by daybreak."
�� "Okay.� You�re the lead Cologne. �Then Tatewaki,
Dr. Toufu, me, Happousai, and Gosunkugi.� Konatsu,
you�re rear guard."
�� In the sequence that Ranma announced the group left
Jusenkyo.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
��� Just as Ranma had predicted, someone in the horde
had eventually noticed that no matter how hard they
tried, they could never catch up with the fleeing
targets, or at times disappearing behind trees or
boulders, only to appear impossibly at another area.�
By the time notes had been compared and the general
recall sounded, the horde had been scattered far and
wide.
�� Koruma didn�t want to face Saffron with the news
that Ranma had gotten away from him but knew the
longer he delayed the more likely he WOULD be
punished.� Leaving a guard detail behind, just in case
Ranma was still hiding near the battleground, the rest
of the horde flew off to the vicinity of the Amazon
village - at a much slower pace since a good majority
were tired from chasing Gosunkugi�s ghosts.
�� None paid attention to the corpses - whole or in
bits - strewn about.� In the scheme of things the Musk
Dynasty was nothing more than a distraction aimed to
keep Ranma occupied, and they had failed miserably.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
�� With daybreak a couple of minutes away, Dr. Toufu
finally called for a stop.� Ranma was amazed at the
endurance he had. Not once did he ask for breather or
had slowed down from the murderous pace Cologne had
set.� Ranma had to admit to himself that he felt
slightly winded with carrying not only his pack but
also Herb.� Happousai didn�t seem affected.
�� *Eleven years shouldn�t have been that great a
deal.*� He groused as he leaned Herb against a
boulder.
�� "We should look for a place to rest."� Cologne
stated as she returned to the group, taking off her
backpack.
�� Happousai handed Plum to Gosunkugi and shucked his
pack.� "You, me and Konatsu."
�� The three looked at Ranma.� He nodded once. �They
were gone.
�� "How�re you doing doc?"� Ranma queried while
rubbing his arms.
�� Dr. Toufu grinned.� "I don�t know who is aching
more, me or the guide."
�� The guide was going through a Tai Chi kata at the
moment.� Although the motion was smooth, Ranma�s
trained eye could see the stiffness in the motion.�
Dr. Toufu must have thought it a good idea, having
joined the guide.
�� Tatewaki handed a plastic bottle, containing a
yellow colored liquid, to Ranma.� "Try this."
�� Taking a swig, Ranma noted the slight salty taste
overriding the oddly lemon flavor.� The drink did
wonders to his body.
�� "What is it?"
�� "A popular concoction from the west known as
Gatorade."
�� "Gator-ade?� I hope it isn�t an extract of
alligators or such."� Ranma took another drink.
�� "It�s their piss.� Why else would it be yellow and
salty."
�� Ranma spewed out the contents. Tatewaki was
prepared for the reaction and had dodged the spray.�
He had an ear-to-ear grin.
�� "I�ll get you for that Tatewaki." � He capped the
bottle, eyed the contents suspiciously and tossed it
back to Tatewaki.� "Here, keep your gator-piss."
�� Ranma headed to Gosunkugi.� He had placed Plum
beside Herb and sat nearby, reading a book.� Perched
on his nose was a pair of �granny� glasses.
�� "How�s it going, Gosunkugi?"
�� "My legs ache a bit, but I�m sure a good day�s rest
will make it go away."
�� "Uh-huh.� I know the others are fit, considering
our martial arts background.� You�re a different story
altogether, I don�t think you�ve ever done anything
like this before."
�� "Actually I used to hike a lot, with my wife�"� He
frowned a bit, then patted his breast pocket. �
"Admittedly, I haven�t done any hiking recently."
�� "Okay.� Lean on the boulder and stretch your legs.�
Don�t worry, the rock is wide enough to handle your
three."
�� Doing as he was told, Gosunkugi watched in
fascination as Ranma started to massage his legs.�
Slowly the fire coursing through his muscles
dissipated.
�� "What�re you reading?"
�� "Just boning up on some spells we just might need."
�� "Uh, Gosunkugi� Uh, yesterday� I mean�"� Ranma
shook his head, unsure how to phrase what he was going
to say.
�� Gosunkugi indicated that he should continue.
�� Ranma took a deep breath.� "I was thinking. Could
part of the reason for the strain in your marriage was
due to your fascination in the occult?"
�� Gosunkugi stared at him.
�� "Just a thought.� Forget I mentioned it."
�� The last thing Ranma expected was laughter.
�Gosunkugi was actually chuckling, but Ranma could see
he was trying his best not to lose himself.
�� "I�m sorry, Ranma.� Your theory IS quite valid and
since you know very little of me would naturally
assume such."
���Gosunkugi took out the locket, opened it and
studied the picture inside.
�� The three returned from their scouting trip. �They
went to their packs and put them on.� The sun had
started is slow ascent.
�� "We�re in luck, there�s a nice unobtrusive cavern
nearby.� With a little work no one will notice it�s
there."
�� Gosunkugi picked up Plum and waited for Ranma to do
the same with his charge.
�� "Remind me to explain what I meant when things get
calmer."
�� Ranma nodded and the two followed the rest to the
cave.� Happousai and Konatsu lingered, removing any
possible trace that they had stopped there.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
���With impeccable timing, Ranma�s team had just
placed the finishing touches in their sanctuary when
the horde passed overhead.� Only when a quarter of an
hour had passed did Happousai leave the cave.� He came
back a few minutes later with two buckets of water.
���"I had to make sure that if we were going to do any
cooking the wind would be favorable in masking the
smell."
���Gosunkugi and Dr. Toufu declined breakfast and
prepared their sleeping bags.� Tatewaki was preparing
a relatively elaborate meal while Ranma opted for
several quick-cooking cup ramen. Konatsu had
positioned herself near the mouth of the cavern, the
first watch shift.� Cologne and Happousai were the
other two, having spent the least in chi power.
���"Where am I?"� A girl�s voice asked.
���The Jusenkyo guide had been hovering near his
daughter ever since they had settled down.� He spoke
softly to her - in Chinese. Plum reached out to hug
him.� Embraced, the guide stroked his daughter�s hair.
���Someone tapped Gosunkugi�s shoulder. �Turning over
he saw Ranma squatting beside him, a smile plastered
on his face.
���"Did I tell you, you did good?"
���Gosunkugi saw the scene and knew what Ranma meant.
"As if.� I could have stopped her attackers earlier,
but didn�t. I wanted to be sure they would be
distracted."
���Ranma looked over his shoulder, father and daughter
were now conversing in whispers.� From time to time
Plum would look in Gosunkugi�s direction.� "If you had
struck earlier, was there a chance she would have been
wounded or killed?"
���Gosunkugi stared at the cavern roof, pondering
Ranma�s question.� "Yes, the probability was high that
one or more would strike her before I could take them
all down."
���"Then you did good.� The only trauma she has to
deal with is a nightmare or two.� You need to be alive
to feel that and that would pass in time."� Ranma
stood up and checked his instant cup ramen. � Deeming
it ready, he broke cleanly a pair of chopsticks and
wolfed the food down.
���Gosunkugi was gladdened by Ranma�s praise as he
drifted off to sleep.
���Ranma saw Cologne check on Herb.� He kneeled beside
her and offered another cup of instant ramen.
���She shook her head.� "How can you stand that
stuff?"
���"I guess not being a ramen cook helps. How is
she?"
���"Not good.� She�s given up on life. �If this
continues, we will lose her in a few hours."
���"Is there anything we can do?"
���Cologne idly caressed Herb�s silky hair.� *I wonder
how long he�s been locked as a girl.� A shame really,
she is beautiful.*
���"Cologne?"
���"Oh, I�m sorry Ranma, I was lost in thought."
���"I noticed.� Anything we can do?"
���"I�m afraid the only person who can help is
Gosunkugi.� He is the only one who has experience in
this kind of thing."
���"What about when you were at the dojo, Happousai
mentioned being able to do the same rite that
Gosunkugi used?"
���"If Happy could find the instructions and
understand it.� At the dojo, we just assisted
Gosunkugi, Ranma.� Partly as a human battery, partly
as a bloodhound.� All the rites and spells invoked
came from him, from memory to boot."
���"We can�t just let Herb die."
���"I understand Ranma.� I just don�t know if
Gosunkugi can perform right now.� When we were at the
dojo, he was fully rested.� If we let him rest, Herb
might be dead by then, but if we ask Gosunkugi to help
- having very little sleep, we might lose them both."
���"Stuck between a rock and a hard place."
���"I�m sorry Ranma."� She stood up and put her hand
briefly on his shoulder, consolingly, then left.
���Ranma stared at Herb�s peaceful face, his fists
clenched white in impotent rage.� Somehow he knew
Saffron was responsible.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
���Herb drifted in a featureless dimly lit void.
Looking at himself, he was disgusted to see he was not
only naked but still in girl form.
���"Has anyone ever told you that you look ravishing?"
���Spinning around, Herb tried to find the source and
saw a tall, gaunt figure drifting.� Herb could not
call him a man for he was more like a shadow, taking
the form of a man but without any detail.� Not even
the glowing eyes illuminated its features.
���"Who are you?� Are you my personal demon? Out to
torment me?"
���The shadow shook its head.� "No, I have no
intention of tormenting you."� Its speech was
irritatingly smug, "You�re doing a good job of that
already."
���"How dare you!"� Herb launched herself at the
shadow at inhuman speeds.
���The shadow stood its ground and nonchalantly
grabbed Herb by her neck, halting her flight abruptly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
���Saffron speared Koruma with his ice-blue eyes and
unblinkingly gazed at him for several seconds.� Koruma
felt it was a lifetime.
���A slow eyeblink said he was forgiven� for now. �
"Ranma escaped before you had arrived."
���"Yes, my lord.� He was assisted by a spell-weaver.�
My men were fooled by its illusions."
���"The Dynasty?"
���"All dead as far as we saw, my lord."
���"Not stunned unconscious?"
���"Dead, my lord."
���Saffron closed his eyes and leaned back.� He tucked
his legs into a yoga position before he spoke again.�
"Leave me."
���Koruma and his cohorts left with as much decorum as
possible.
���A chuckle filled the hall as soon as the huge
double doors closed.� "So much for the Musk Dynasty."
���Saffron faced the source, never opening his eyes.
���The figure leaning in the shadows lithely stepped
into the light and bowed at Saffron, his long ebon
tresses gracefully spilling over his shoulders.� "I
should leave for the village.� Ranma will be there
soon."
���"Do that."
���Straightening, Mousse produced a blood-red
featureless mask - one that matched the crimson hue of
his clothes - from his sleeves, put it on and headed
out.
�� Reaching the doors, the master of hidden weapons
flicked his arms forward, without slowing his pace.�
>From each sleeve, a metal claw attached to a fine
chain streaked out and clamped onto the door handles.
���Still walking towards the door, Mousse pulled
downward, his hands wrapped around their respective
chain.� The claws were retrieved and the door swung
open by the momentum.� Mousse passed through the brief
opening with seconds to spare before the door�s
mechanism shut it close with nary a sound.
���Having watched the display of indifferent use of
power with half lidded eyes, Saffron smirked.� When
the door shut, so did his eyelids, the smirk still on
his lips.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
���For nearly an hour, Ranma tried his best to fall
asleep.� Unfortunately, everytime he closed his eyes
he would see Herb�s angry visage.� Accusing him for
having failed her.� Destroying her only chance of
salvation.
���*There was no way I could�ve known the Kaisuifuu
was destroyed.� I didn�t know� I didn�t know!*�
Against the deep-seated guilt in his heart, his
protestations lacked any conviction.
���With a sigh, Ranma sat up and looked around. �The
only other person who seemed awake was Konatsu.
���Sitting beside her, he studied her carefully. It
was no accident that Konatsu had intercepted the
Chisuiton attack intended for me. � My unique �dual�
nature allowed me to sense that Konatsu had taken a
dive into a cursed spring.� No need to guess which
one.� She had anticipated such an attack to happen.�
Now, she�s �stuck� as a girl, something she always
wanted to be, unlike Herb.
���"Is something wrong?"
���Embarrassed, Ranma scratched the back of his head.
�"Just wondering about Herb."
���"She�s a proud one."
���Ranma favored her a raised eyebrow.
���"She is, you know."
���"I know� but why do you refer to him as �she�?"
���"Because she is one now.� I fail to see what is so
wrong in being a woman."
���Ranma gathered his thoughts, carefully, before
answering. "Before this you had always been a man, at
least physically.� How did it feel?"
���Konatsu cocked her head.� "I don�t get you."
���"Okay, let�s elaborate.� How do you feel now,
Konatsu?� This opportunity must have been a god-send
for you. To be able to get access to a nyannichuan
and be forever what you always felt was your true
form."
���"I feel like a new person."
���Ranma nodded his head.� "Can you also say you feel�
liberated?� When you were a guy, did you feel
trapped?� Stuck in a situation that you had no control
of?"
���Several seconds passed before Konatsu�s hesitant
nod.
���"That�s how Herb feels right now.� He had grown up
as a guy, naturally.� You were raised as a girl,
despite your actual gender.� So for him, being stuck
as a girl, and in this case permanently, is something
he has no knowledge or experience of.� Men are
supposed to be� well, men.� Strong, brave, macho� and
all those other crap."
���"What about you?� Your curse hasn�t been lifted."
���"True, but it�s different.� I can switch from one
form to another whenever I want to.� For Herb, that
option has been revoked.� To make matters worse, that
asshole Weed did a �beautiful� job of traumatizing
him."
���Another pause ensued, broken by Ranma�s sigh.
���"I don�t know how long Herb had been stuck as a
girl.� I think the only thing that kept her going was
the possibility that he might be able to get his hands
on the Chisuiton."
���"I thought the only way to unlock the Chisuiton�s
power was thru the Kaisuifuu?"
���To say Ranma was struck dumb by her comment was an
understatement.� "You�re right.� Even if Herb had
found a spring of drowned man, the Chisuiton�s power
would have prevented him from changing."� Ranma
started to rub his chin, "And yet, Herb had distinctly
said that his last chance was with the Chisuiton�"
���Konatsu shrugged, having nothing else to add.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
���"Mousse-sama, wouldn�t it be faster if we had flown
you there?"� A somewhat petulant voice whined.
���Mousse showed signs of having heard the question,
but pointedly ignored it.� Striding among the trees,
he paused from time to time to keenly study them.
���"Mousse-sama�"
���"I heard you the first time."� He tilted his head
ever so slightly, reproaching with the glance.� By
accident or design, a bit of sunlight glinted off his
crimson mask. Without a further word Mousse resumed
walking.
���Chastised, the warriors shuffled after.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
���Looking like something straight out of a postcard,
the Amazon village seemed serene, idyllic.� Lazy
tendrils of smoke drifted out from the chimneys of
several of the huts. Children played on the streets,
the washings were being hung, old folks sat at the
porch playing Wei Qi**, men and women busily went
about their business.� If one didn�t know better, the
village was hardly one that had a siege laid upon it.
�� Only on closer scrutiny did things become apparent.
� No matter where the townsfolk were, weapons were
always readily available a relatively short distance
away.� Small groups of battle-clad warriors �wandered�
about, or practiced drills.� There was always someone
gazing at the skies, and perhaps the most obvious of
all, on a raised platform erected on the village
square stood a lone Samurai, long bow at hand, polearm
close by.
�� Short of the Sashimono - the banner proclaiming the
warrior�s allegiance - on his back, the Samurai looked
every bit the proud and honorable warrior glorified in
Japan�s history.
�� The man wearing the armor knew he stood out like a
beacon, daring the enemy to try and take him down.�
After Genma�s disastrous attempt at escape, he had
been the rallying focus of the Amazon warriors,
channeling his rage and grief into a series of
tactical defensive victories.� Those emotions, along
with any other feeling like joy, fear, or contentment
were long gone now.� For Soun Tendou the days had
rolled into one long never-ending aching throb of
pain.
�� At first honored that the village elders had
entrusted him to lead the defense of the village, he
found out only later from his daughters that the
elders hoped that the attacking force would exhaust
themselves in getting past him.� The protection of the
village treasures ranked foremost among the elders, in
which they planned to defend with all their abilities.
�� Being a man and an outsider, he was expendable. �In
a way Soun understood, the heritage of the Amazon
village must be protected, having survived for so
long.
�� He vowed to go down unflinching in the duty
entrusted to him.� If by his example the women of the
Amazon village would respect the abilities of a man,
even if ever so slightly, then he had fulfilled
something worthwhile in the twilight of his life.
�� So he stood, awaiting his deliverance.� Ever calm,
exuding confidence and strength, wise and immortal in
his bearing.� A trick he had learned when Megane had
died so suddenly, leaving him with the care of his
three little daughters.� Only when they had grown
older and Kasumi started to take care of the daily
chores did he finally allow himself to let go of his
rigidly-imposed facade. �Removing it completely when
Genma had arrived, his son in tow.� That first year
with Ranma around the household was witness to Soun�s
emotional breakdown after so many years of stoicness.
�� The soft tread on the wooden planks snapped him out
of his musings.
�� "Are you alright, Father?"
�� Soun turned around and smiled.
�� Two women faced him, concern clearly showing on
their exquisite faces.
�� Kurumi and Natsumi.� Soun�s �other� daughters.
�� Sometime during Ranma's initial stay at the Tendou
household, they had showed up and turned that brief
moment upside-down.� When the truth was revealed that
the girls had been fooled into thinking that Master
Happousai was Soun - in yet another example of his
unintentionally cruel idea of help - Soun had already
accepted them as his own flesh and blood.� A fact that
he formalized by adopting them into the Tendou family
during their last visit, at Akane�s wedding.
�� Even though he had been in the village for several
weeks now, Soun could never tire of admiring his
daughters.� The first time they had appeared - years
ago, the two were very much a study in contrasts.�
Natsume, a reserved and graceful beauty; Kurumi, all
gangly youth and impatience.� These days it was easy
to mistake them for twins, like the Amazon village�s
Pink and Link or Lin Lin and Ran Ran - which were.
�� Then there was their uncanny resemblance to Megane,
more so with Natsume.� Not only in the way she moved
or spoke, but also in the little things - Kasumi's
concern, Nabiki's shrewdness and Akane's vigor rolled
into one rare package.� To see the reincarnation of
his wife always lightened his day.� If they got past
the current situation, he vowed he would tell Natsume
about it.
�� "Father�? Is something wrong?"
�� He shook his head wearily.� "A lot of things are
wrong, Natsume -chan, like that scar."
�� It was the start of the ritual they had everyday
before lunch.� Natsume looked sad but determined.�
"They stay, father. �How else can I remind myself?"
�� Behind Natsume, Kurumi bowed her head briefly. �A
motion that only Soun could see.
�� During their one brief clash with Mousse, the two
had rushed in along with Shampoo, her father, and Soun
in order to save Genma.� Like the others, the two had
made the mistake of thinking that the Mousse they were
facing was the same one they were used to - a bumbling
fighter at best.
�� As Natsume prepared a powerful short-ranged
fireblast, Kurumi picked her up in a cyclone and
hurled her towards Mousse at incredible speeds.�
Impossibly, not only did Mousse deftly avoid the
fireblast but got the opportunity to slash at Natsume
as she passed by.� Thankfully, Natsume was able to
alter her flight to the point that the attack left a
short, shallow scar on her neck instead of
decapitating her.� Before Mousse could follow-up his
attack, Shampoo and her father engaged him.
�� Til this day, Kurumi blames herself for the scar.
�A guilt she never lets on to her sister.� In a way
the two were both scarred by Mousse, Natsume
physically; Kurumi, emotionally.
�� The arrival of the food halted any further talk as
the three took the task of consuming lunch.� One of
the most basic things that an enemy can exploit was
any kind of pattern, so Soun never had his meals at
the same time nor did he eat it at the same speed.�
The Amazon children that had brought the meal eagerly
acted as lookout.
�� From the corner of his eye, Soun caught a brief
crimson glint among the trees.� Without pause in his
dining, he nonchalantly glanced in the direction.
�� Three of the attendant children had also noticed
the red flash.� After a heated murmured argument, one
of the kids rushed off, heading towards the patrol
closest the perceived threat.
�� "Mousse is back." Like Soun, Natsume did not slow
down eating.� She uttered the words between a bite of
the food and a sip of her tea.
�� "He can wait.� Let�s finish our lunch."� A curt
turn of his head.� "Kurumi-chan sit down."
�� Scratching the back of her neck, Kurumi did as
told. � Kurumi handed her a cup of tea.� Soun smiled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
�� From his vantage point on a tree, Mousse watched a
patrol stop at the outskirts of the town. �Dropping
down to the ground, he dashed off, meeting up with a
bunch of Saffron�s warriors.
�� "Well?"
�� Several mentioned a number, they were all the same.
�� "Excellent.� We now know how long it takes them to
react.� Tell your men we are to seal off the village,
Ranma and his cohorts might arrive any moment now."
�� The warriors nodded and went their separate ways.
�� Mousse walked up the main road and stopped at the
edge of the forest.� On cue, a patrol arrived exactly
on the time noted and stopped at the main gate.� The
amazons spread out and readied their weapons.� Among
them were two women who carried none.
�� *Interesting, Soun�s daughters have joined the
patrol.*
�� Holding their gaze for a second longer, he
contemptuously turned his back on them.
�� "Why that arrogant prick!"
�� "Kurumi."� Although reprimanding, Natsume had
remained calm, neutral, and emotionless as she stared
out at Mousse. "Remember what we have been taught,
passions should be held in check during combat.� If
you are unsure of yourself or your ability to
discipline your emotions�"
�� Natsume looked at her younger sister, her face
terrifying in its coldness.� "Then I suggest you back
off."
�� "Natsume-chan."� Kurumi�s voice petering out in
surprise.
�� "Go to father."� She looked back at Mousse, ending
the conversation.
�� Kurumi stared at her sister as tears pooled. "I
thought we were a team."
�� Natsume�s eyes flickered towards her and just as
abruptly stared ahead.
�� Someone cleared his throat.� "Which will be your
undoing."
�� Kurumi turned to face Soun, incomprehension on her
face.
�� "Mousse will be using his knowledge of your
techniques against you, while you will be in the dark
on what he will use.� Part of the reason Ranma always
won against Mousse was Mousse�s own disabilities.� We
don�t have that advantage, the Mousse we face is
different - a ruthless killer."� Briefly, a great
sadness crossed Soun�s face.� By the time Kurumi had
blinked her eyes, his mien was similar to Kurumi�s.
�� "So how�"
�� "Do we defeat him?� Natsume thinks using your
powers separately might surprise him."
�� "Would it?"
�� "I really don�t know Kurumi.� What I do know is
that Mousse�s presence here isn�t something trivial.�
The whole village is as ready as it will ever be."
�� With a parting nod, Soun headed off to check the
rest of the village�s defenses.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
�� The aroma of something delicious finally got
through Ranma�s subconscious and woke him up.� Rubbing
his eyes, he saw that he was the last to awaken, the
others were already having their meal, but someone was
missing...
���...and Ranma realized who it was.� "Hey, where�s
Herb?"� Concern filling his voice.
�� Cologne looked at him and pointed with her
chopsticks.
�� Facing the direction indicated, Ranma saw that Herb
was kneeling to one side where his head had rested.�
On her lap was a tray of food.
�� "Oh."� A word full of emotions. Ranma didn't know
if he should hug her or something.� Seeing her alive
made him feel better.
�� Herb had noticed how Ranma had said it and lifted
her head to face him.� Ranma was surprised by the calm
he saw there.
�� "Your food, Ranma-sama."� Now that she was no
longer crying, her voice had a haunting lilt to it.
�� Accepting the tray, Ranma tried to keep eye
contact. �Herb didn't cooperate and lowered her head
again.� Sighing, Ranma knew he had other
opportunities, "Let's drop the 'sama' bit, okay?"
�� Herb stood up and walked to the cave entrance
without a word.
�� Ranma looked at the group for clues, but they were
all entranced at their food.
�� *What the heck did I miss?*
�� His rumbling stomach finally got his attention and
Ranma started to quell the internal rebellion.
��� "Hey, Cologne.� What happened?� Did Gosunkugi
perform some kind of miracle?"� Since the two had
volunteered to fill up the buckets and dispose of
their trash in a way that wouldn�t reveal their
current hideout, Ranma used the opportunity to find
out more of what had transpired.
�� Cologne looked hard at Ranma before speaking.
"Sometime near the end of Konatsu's shift, Herb just
woke up. Trained in the ways of a kunoichi, Konatsu
could tell if a person was really sleeping or not."
�� "And...?"
�� "Until it was my turn for the shift, Herb just laid
there - as if in slumber.� Only after Konatsu was
asleep did Herb move."
�� Cologne looked at Ranma and saw that he was holding
himself from interrupting.� Nodding her head, Cologne
resumed talking, "She didn't do anything drastic, she
just kneeled beside you and watched..."
�� "Me."� It seemed normal enough and yet Ranma could
tell that Cologne was far from finished.
�� "Yes, you.� Throughout my shift she stayed in that
position.� There were times I could have sworn she
tried to brush your hair with her fingers, but I could
never catch her in the act.� She always seemed to know
when I was looking her way."
�� Ranma suddenly had inexplicable feeling of dread in
the pit of his stomach.
�� "When it was Happy's turn, she acknowledged his
presence with a quick glance then resumed her
'vigil'.� You'll have to talk to him on what happened
next."
�� "Why can't you tell me?� What's the big deal with
Happousai?"
�� "It's better heard from the one who had witnessed
it."
�� Ranma definitely did not like the sound of that.
�� Herb apparently had waited for the others before
she took repast.� When Ranma and Cologne returned from
their chores, she was kneeling off to one side, small
portions of the meal on the tray before her.�
Happousai was also kneeling beside her and the two
seemed to be conversing.� A one sided conversation at
best as Happousai seemed to be doing all the talking.�
Once in a while, Herb would answer, her melodious
voice striking even at a whisper.
�� Tatewaki was off to one side, the steady rhythm of
whetstone to steel a constant background, he seemed to
be on the phone.� *Most likely updating Nabiki on what
had transpired.*� Gosunkugi sat crosslegged near the
entrance, reading yet another undecipherable book.�
Dr. Toufu was examining Plum, her father hovering
nearby. Konatsu was fast asleep.
�� Saying one final piece that Herb nodded to,
Happousai stood up and walked towards Ranma.� Grabbing
him by the shoulder, Happousai steered him out of the
cave.
�� The two found a shady boulder to perch on, or
rather Ranma got comfortable on it, Happousai paced in
front of him.� Ranma picked up a rock and tossed it at
him, Happousai grabbed it out of the air and juggled
it.
�� "I'm tempted to pick up this boulder and hurl it at
you, you know."
�� Happousai stopped in his tracks and looked up at
Ranma in amusement.
�� "Okay, what happened?"
�� "I'm a ninja..."
�� "Of course."
�� "...and one of the things we can do is observe
people without seeming to be observing..."
�� "Got you so far."
�� "It only happened once..."
�� "What happened, Happousai?� Obviously it involved
Herb and me."
�� "I guess she thought I was still groggy..."
�� "Fine.� What happened."
�� "Don't rush me, Ranma."
�� Ranma put up his hands placatingly.
�� "As I said it only happened once.� I was intrigued
at what Herb was doing."
�� "Which was?"
�� "At that point, nothing really, just watching you
sleep.� Then..."
�� "Then what, Happousai?� You're hemming and hawing
is driving me nuts already.� Will you just spill the
beans and let me handle it."
�� "That's the problem, Ranma.� You might not be able
to handle it."
�� "If I promise not to blow my top will you tell me
what happened?"
�� Happousai snorted.� "With my unique abilities, I
caught Herb in an unguarded moment.� The look on her
face..."
�� "You're doing it again."
�� "Sorry.� The only description I can come up with is
'a look of love'."
�� "Pardon?� Did I hear you right?"
�� "At least you're not screaming... yet." � Happousai
muttered, "A look of love, Ranma. Herb was gazing at
you with that look."
�� *I heard him right the first time.* �"What's your
basis?"
�� "The way you look at Akane when she isn't aware you
are and vice versa.� Herb had the same look."
�� "Why do I have a funny feeling that isn't all of
it."
�� "Immediately afterwards she leaned forward.� I
thought she heard you speak out and bent down to hear
better, but..."
�� "What?"� Dreading what the answer might be.
�� "She didn't cock her head one way to bring her ears
near your lips.� She brought her lips to yours,
Ranma.� A brief fleeting touch, and yet a kiss
nonetheless."
�� Silence.
�� He's taking it well, Happousai thought.
�� "Expecting something?"
�� "Actually, yes."
�� "Do you know what my first experience with a kiss
was?� Don't bother answering.� I was kissed by a boy
while in my girl form."
�� From Happousai's expression, it was definitely not
what he was expecting.
�� Ranma shrugged.� "So being kissed as a boy by a
girl who really is a boy is the same thing.� Besides
I�m much older now and wasn�t even conscious when it
happened.� It must have been important to Herb
though."
�� "What happened to the boy who kiss..." �A chuckle,
"Sorry.� Who kissed you?"
�� "I changed form and challenged him to a fight."
�� "And?"
�� "A draw.� He gave his best, I took it all, he zoned
out, I was too battered to think straight."� A more
nonchalant shrug. �"A draw."
�� "Did he look at you lovingly?"
�� "You're enjoying this, aren't you?� No, Sanzenin
Mikado was obsessed in living up to his reputation as
a 'kissing bandit'. � If he ever loved anyone, it was
himself."
�� "Ah.� Well, my apologies."
�� "For what?"
�� "Thinking too little of you."
�� "Heh.� You've been gone for how long, roughly
eleven years.� Some people change.� You have to admit
that Akane's cooking isn't toxic anymore."
�� "True.� True."
���A longer stretch of silence.� Ranma leaned back and
watched the approaching twilight through the canopy.�
Happousai jumped to the top of another boulder and did
the same.
�� "What were you two talking about?"
�� "I confronted her about it.� She was quite
embarrassed."� Happousai propped himself on an elbow.�
"That's what's bugging me, Ranma.� She's acting too
much like a girl now.� She helped Cologne cook the
food and insisted on waiting by your side.� You could
say we didn't know how to deal with how Herb was
acting and ignored it."
�� "Too quick."
�� "Exactly.� She wanted you to kill her, then goes to
sleep and wakes up a swooning princess."
�� "Is something wrong with being a 'swooning
princess'?"� A melodious voice challenged.
�� "Eeep."
�� Ranma looked at the ladies, Cologne and Herb,
standing by some trees.� They were carrying towels and
a pile of clothes.� Herb looked amused in a cute way,
Cologne annoyed in an equally cute way.
�� "There's a small pool nearby. We might as well
take this moment to freshen up.� Who knows when we'll
have that luxury anytime soon."� She stopped talking
as Cologne dragged Happousai out from behind the
boulder he was hiding from and away from the two.� She
had a firm grip of his ponytail.� Happousai had a
resigned look on his face.
�� "Cologne-sama�s accompanied me to pick up
Happousai-sama.� They�ll guard the camp as we bathe."
�� Ranma eyed the number of towels Herb was holding.
"We?"
�� "I need to talk to you in private, Ranma-sa�
Ranma."
�� "What about the others?"
�� "They�ve bathed already."
�� "So it�s just us two."
�� "Cologne-sama and Happousai-sama will be the last."
�� *Well, she did want to talk in private.* �What
would be more private than a bath.� Bounding off the
boulder, Ranma eased Herb�s load and noticed that the
clothes were all his.
�� Seeing his questioning looks, Herb became
embarrassed.� "I�m sorry if we presumed, but Cologne�s
clothes were all figure hugging and she�s smaller than
me.� Plum and Konatsu only had a few spares.� Your
pack seemed to have the most number of extra clothes
and well, we�re both the same size."
�� Ranma grinned.� "Makes sense, my clothes are
comfortable in either gender and I do pack a lot.�
Habit I guess." �Ranma made a show of looking around,
"So, which way?"
�� "Oh!� Right, you wouldn�t know." �Herb started
walking, paused and looked over her shoulder.� "Follow
me."
�� *This is going to be interesting.* With a shrug to
himself, Ranma caught up with the waiting girl.
�� As they resumed walking, Herb spoke up softly. �
"Five years."
�� "Pardon?"
�� "That�s how long I have been �their� love slave."�
She looked straight ahead, as if afraid to see his
reaction, "Five years."
�� Ranma kept a neutral face but his heart went out to
her. *Damn, she�s had it rough.*
�� "One �unique� thing about my condition is that I�m
sterile."� A harsh ironic laugh.� "If any of �them�
wanted to, I was always �available�."
�� "Every time I was caught in my �escape� attempts,
as their reward my captors could do whatever they
wanted with me."
�� "It was the knowledge that the Chisuiton was nearby
that kept me from slipping into insanity, Ranma.� You
must have thought that Weed did fuck my brains out
when I said it was my last hope."
�� About to deny it, Ranma felt he had to be honest
with her and nodded his head instead, if a bit
sheepishly.
�� Herb appreciated his gesture.� "Being a girl,
�they� never showed interest in my activities.� While
doing research in the Dynasty�s library, I made an
interesting discovery about the Chisuiton."
�� "The Chisuiton is used to lock whoever has been
splashed by the water it contains into whatever form
he or she was at the time� using normal water.� If you
put water from a nyannichuan in it, splashing anyone
will not only turn them into a girl but also lock them
into that form."
�� Ranma understood.� "If filled with the nannichuan�"
�� Herb nodded her head, wordlessly filling in the
rest of the sentence.
�� "Oh, Herb.� I�m sorry."
�� Herb stepped in front of him and placed the tips of
her fingers near his lips.
�� "Don�t be, you didn�t know and there was no way you
could have.� I don�t hold you responsible for it."� To
show that she meant it, she flashed an honest and
heartfelt smile at him.
�� It lightened the guilt that had been heavy on
Ranma's breast and he couldn't help but smile back.
�� Reaching the pool, Ranma saw a bit of steam rising
from the surface.� Moving to the edge, he dipped his
hand into the water and confirmed his suspicions - it
was a mild hot spring.� He groaned inwardly. *So much
for bathing as girls.*
�� "Ranma?"
�� The way she called him, a certain hesitation in the
way it was said, made Ranma turn around.
�� "For five years the only touch of I�ve encountered
was from the carnal desires of �animals��"� Her hands
were slowly unbuttoning her shirt, an act that Ranma
was more or less sure that Herb wasn�t aware of.
�� Ranma walked back to her and held her hands still.
"Herb, you don�t have to do this."
�� Looking down, Herb saw that her front was exposed.
�She faced Ranma with a look of confusion.� "I� I�m
sorry, Ranma.� I keep trying to remind myself that I�m
a man and yet here�s my body offering itself to you."�
Tears were now streaming down her exquisite face.
�"Maybe�"� A sob, a precursor of what was going to
happen next. �"Maybe I am screwed."
�� Stepping closer, Ranma tenderly hugged her as she
broke down.� Crying her heart out, Herb clutched onto
him desperately.
�� He knew from experience that it would be awhile
before she calms down. He also knew that he couldn�t
use the moment to reminisce on how he gained such
knowledge.� Women close to him had an uncanny way of
knowing whether he was rooted to the moment or not.�
Although they had been opponents in the past, Ranma
was the only person that Herb could turn to now.� In a
way they were bound to each other, and Ranma did not
want to hurt her, not after what she has already gone
through.� So they stood there, Ranma trying his best
to calm the emotional girl.
�� "I wonder what�s taking them so long."
�� "For this long?"�Cologne squinted her eyes, "You�re
not telling all you know."
�� Happousai grinned, "Well she did say�" and had the
tips of his forefingers touch each other repeatedly.
�� Cologne�s raised her eyebrow.� That and a slight
shade of red creeping onto her cheeks spoke volumes of
what she thought.
�� Ranma and Herb returned before Happousai had the
opportunity to say any more.� They were dressed in
nearly the same manner, clothes that wouldn't hamper
extreme movement.
�� The two went separate ways when they reached the
cave, Ranma continuing inside, the bundle of used
clothes at the crook of his arms. Herb headed towards
Cologne.� "Cologne-sama, I need to talk to you
briefly."
�� Cologne flashed a look at Happousai and followed
the girl.
�� Happousai rushed into the cave.� The entire group
was seated in a circle.� Ranma stood waiting for him.�
"Ah, good. �You're here.� Sit down, Happousai, there's
something you guys need to know about Herb."
�� Ranma started pacing.� "Okay, first off, nothing
happened while we were bathing.� You guys know what I
mean by that."
�� "Pray tell, Ranma.� Why are you informing us of
something rather personal."
�� "Because, Tatewaki, I intend to tell Akane what has
happened.� I just need some kind of backup in case she
clobbers me before I finish."
�� Happousai nodded his head sagely.� "That's wise
move.� Hey, I did tell her you were married."
�� "I know, she brought it up in our talk. Anyway�"�
It didn't take Ranma too long to tell them about what
he had learned from Herb.� Her years as a love slave,
her discovery of the Chisuiton's unique properties,
her confusion of her gender, her offering of herself
to Ranma. �The group listened without interrupting
him.� Occasionally they would glance at each other,
seeing how the others were taking it, especially on
the last part.
�� "After she had calmed down, we agreed to take turns
using the spring.� She bathed first.� I sensed she
needed some time to herself, so moved a discreet
distance away, within her sight so I can't be accused
of peeping but far enough that we couldn�t talk.� When
it was my turn, she kept me company as we talked about
a lot of inconsequential things.� About the dojo,
Akane, you guys� as I said, inconsequential stuff.� On
the way back I mentioned Cologne's plan to bring the
other women of the Musk Dynasty to the Amazon Village.
�She seemed taken to the idea."
�� "Ranma.� Did you mention about your proposal to
have the memories of the women of the Musk Dynasty
erased?"
�� "Er, no, doc.� I was hoping that Cologne would tell
her that."
�� From where he stood, Ranma could not have seen Herb
and Cologne enter the cave stealthily.� The two ninjas
though, did.� Konatsu was able to beat Happousai to
the question.� "Any particular reason why?"
�� Ranma paced a bit before answering.� "Herb is
currently in the grips of an identity crisis.� She has
to decide how she wants to live her life.� If I tell
her about my proposal, it may seem that I have
callously disregarded all that she has gone through.�
She still has one more chance after all."
�� Happousai was the first to understand what was
implied. "No."
�� "What's wrong, Happousai.� You said yourself that
the 'elixir of life' is capable of granting one's
wish."
�� "If you could find it, Ranma.� It's not an ordinary
pool, it has a life of it's own.� It will not just let
anybody access to its waters.� Do you have any idea
how long it took Cologne and I?"
�� "Happousai-sama is right, Ranma." Gosunkugi added.�
"To tell Herb about this might be even more cruel.�
I've read about the 'elixir of life' and the one thing
that is re-iterated time and time again is that it
will only appear to those who intend to 'start anew'.�
For Herb to return as a man is to return to his old
ways."
�� "How can we be so sure.� She has gone through a
lot, through things we only experience in our
nightmares.� I sincerely believe that there is no way
that the old Musk Dynasty will be resurrected.� Not by
her or him, whichever it is she wants to be."
�� Herb coughed softly to catch the attention of the
others.� "I thank you for your faith in me, Ranma, but
I�ve already decided."
�� Ranma spun around when Herb spoke up, yet didn�t
seem surprised.
�� "I�ve encountered mention of the �elixir of life�
during my research and at the time I didn�t think I
would ever have the opportunity."
�� "Will you search for it then?"
�� "No, Ranma.� I have an obligation to the other
women of the Musk Dynasty.� I wasn�t the only male
that Weed turned into a girl, just the only one to
stay �sane�.� If Cologne can help ease their torment,
then I must aid her.� Afterwards�"� A non-committal
shrug followed.
�� "Then you�re�?"
�� "Leaving." Spoken a bit hesitantly. �"Cologne has
told me about her� punishment.� Hopefully by the time
we return, you guys have dealt with Saffron."
�� Ranma put on his most confident face. "Piece of
cake."
�� Herb took a quick step and hugged him. "Take care
of yourself, Ranma."
�� When she stepped back, Ranma replied with a smile.
"You too, Herb."
�� Cologne picked up her pack, Happousai called out to
her.� "You�re going?� Now?"
�� "I�m sorry if it�s rather abrupt, but Herb and I
agreed that the sooner we get there, the sooner we
liberate the poor girls."
�� Happousai was about to say something else then held
himself back.
�� The others wished them luck as they exited the
cave.
�� Cologne paused at the cave entrance and looked back
to Happousai.� He nodded once, she responded with her
own and left.
�� Silence descended.� Ranma went to his pack and put
it on.� The others followed suit.
�� Dr. Toufu adjusted his night-vision goggles.
�"What�s the plan, Ranma?"
� "Doc, hang back with the Guide and Plum. �We�ll
call for you when we�ve dealt with them."
�� Happousai shook his head.� "I don�t think so,
Ranma. For this situation, it would be best that we
form a single group and punch our way to the village."
�� "That would put Plum and her father at risk."�
Ranma addressed Plum.� "I don�t want to denigrate your
skills, but Saffron�s men are far better than the
warriors of the Musk Dynasty. � Add Mousse to the
equation�"
�� Plum responded in Japanese.� "I understand,
Ranma-san and thank you for your concern."� Her father
asked her a question, she replied.� The Jusenkyo guide
mulled the answer over then said a rather lengthy
piece.� Plum nodded and faced Ranma.� "Father says
that we stay with you.� He wants to show the villagers
that he not only survived but also was able to get
help.� Once inside, Father will show Doctor Toufu
where Shampoo and Mr. Saotome is.� I stay where my
father stays."
�� Ranma looked at the others for their opinion. �None
countered the proposal.
�� He felt like sighing but knew it wouldn�t seem
appropriate, he smiled instead.� "Okay then.� Once
there, we form a flying wedge.� Happousai, you�re the
most powerful of us, so you form the point."
�� Again Happousai shook his head.� "Let Kunou take
point."� Tatewaki was surprised, but didn�t mind the
suggestion.
�� "His techniques are quite devastating, but mostly
offensive.� I�ll take rear guard since I know several
defensive techniques."
�� Gosunkugi disagreed.� "I think I should be rear
guard.� I have the best chance in protecting all of
us."
�� "Gosunkugi�s right, Happousai.� His spells are
quite powerful."� Ranma amended, quite strong in his
faith in the haunting man�s abilities.� "I�ll be at
the left, you�ll take the right.� The rest form the
middle diamond with Konatsu its rear guard."
�� He paused for any further objections, there were
none.� "Once we get in the village, Konatsu will stay
with the doc, Plum and the guide until they reach
Shampoo and Pops.� Then she�s free to join us or guard
them."
�� Ranma faced Plum again.� "You�ve just been through
a harrowing experience, you�re not ready to fight
yet.� For now, please assist the doc with his
patients."
�� Seeing the concern on not only her father�s face
but also on Gosunkugi�s, Plum nodded, the relief that
she wasn�t asked to participate in the upcoming battle
plain on her face.
�� Ranma smiled once more to her then faced Tatewaki.
�� "Tatewaki are you going to call Nabiki? �We�ll wait
until you�re through."
�� The �samurai� shook his head.� "I think it be best
to call after the mission has come to a successful
conclusion.� I wish not to worry them."
�� "Them?"
�� "Ah, Akane and the others, naturally.� Nabiki would
inform them."
�� Ranma sensed that Tatewaki was holding back on him,
but didn�t make an issue of it.
�� "Are we forgetting anything else?" �He took the
time to study each one, putting into his mind perhaps
the last time he will see them.� He could see that the
others were doing the same.
�� Konatsu hadn�t put on her mask yet and Ranma had
always known she was quite a striking woman . Now that
she�s physically matched to her mentality, she seemed
to carry a certain grace that was lacking before. �
Konatsu seemed to be teasing Happousai about
something, for she winked in his direction.
�� Gosunkugi still had that mysterious air about him,
his eyes blazed with an unnatural glow as he prepared
himself for the task at hand. �His hand was over his
breast-pocket, looking like a man pledging his
allegiance. In a sense he was and Ranma pitied all
that would get in his way.
�� Happousai seemed sad, possibly because this was the
first time he wasn�t with his partner Cologne.� For a
moment a hint of a blush appeared when Konatsu had
winked at him.� When he noticed Ranma looking at him,
he put on a cocky face, complete with an
over-confident smile.� An old Happousai look.
�� Tatewaki was quiet.� Most likely in realization
that he would be the focus of the attack.� Gone was
his normal bluster, replaced by a grim determination
not to let the others down.� He would do fine when the
time comes.
�� Doctor Toufu, as usual, had an introspective look.
�He was double checking his medical supplies and
wrapping the more delicate bottles with cloth.� Plum
was helping him.
�� She had put on a fresh set of clothes but still
wore Gosunkugi�s greatcoat over it.� Ranma noted the
faint traceries of various sigils and was sure that as
long as the girl wore the coat no harm will befall
her.
�� The Jusenkyo Guide was busy slathering himself with
an odorless balm, especially on his joints.
�� Happousai wished that Cologne hadn�t left him, but
understood that she didn�t wish to challenge the
ruling of the council - even at their time of need.�
Ranma had asked if they had forgotten anything, in
truth he wanted to share one last moment with them.
Happousai was thankful for that.� He had just met them
again and now there was a chance some will not return.
�� He never really knew Konatsu, during his lech days
�he� was never a target.� Now that she was locked
permanently as a girl, Happousai could see that she
was a beautiful, graceful creature.� When she winked
back at him, he blushed in memory of what had happened
between them.� For some reason, his demeanor changed
when Konatsu pointed out that he was a teenager again.
�� Gosunkugi was another person he had never known. �
His knowledge in the mystical arts amazed him.� Unlike
Cologne, he relied entirely on his force of will and
the invocations he had memorized by heart.� His
compassion to Plum was another thing of interest.� If
he was of a different mind set, he could have
challenged Saffron for the dominion of the world.
�� Tatewaki, then, was a buffoon in his eyes.� Not
anymore, from what the good Doctor had said, he has
honed his abilities to a deadly edge. � His assessment
of Tatewaki�s abilities was correct for he could sense
that even now, the modern-day samurai was slowly
powering up his chi.
�� Dr. Toufu was another blank in his memory. � Even
then he had always kept a healthy distance from him.�
His instinct had recognized the man�s abilities and
power, even when he didn�t.� From the way his method
of diagnosing Tatewaki�s mental health was described,
in a matter-of-fact manner, Dr. Toufu was a very
competent martial artist.� His knowledge of eastern
medicine giving him an edge over the others.
�� Plum was a pretty girl, and if he was still his old
self would have been a victim of his raids.� These
days, he seemed to have developed a shyness that can�t
be explained, especially when she�s around.� With the
resiliency of youth, she seems to have gotten over
most of what she had experienced in the previous
battle.� Gosunkugi and Doctor Toufu had to be thanked
for that.
�� The guide was pretty much an ordinary man. � Having
seen a lot of weird stuff happen, he seemed quite
unflappable though. � His bravery to join them was
basically a matter of �face�, although he was taking
steps to make sure it wasn�t a mere �formality�.�
Happousai suspected that the salve he was using was to
make his joints much limber, thus avoiding holding
back any of them.
�� Ranma was a surprise to him.� That he would become
a powerful martial artist was never in doubt.� What
was amazing was how much he has matured, there were
times he'd slip back into his �old� ways, but never
for long.� As for his girl-form, Happousai had to
smile at that.� The magic of the springs prevented her
from aging, thus she was stuck as the irreverent
red-head everyone remembers.
�� Tatewaki Kunou rarely had the time to contemplate
on his fate, or rather, never took the time.� With the
upcoming battle one that would test all of their
abilities, he rallied his discipline.� This was one
time he wished he had his wife�s encyclopedic memory
of everyone they have ever met.
�� They knew that Gosunkugi was married and still
practiced his magic.� Nabiki had dismissed him as
harmless.� From what Tatewaki has seen, he will have
to change the data file.
�� Konatsu was also another considered harmless, she
had always been by Kuonji Ukyo's side and rarely
strayed far.� This personal excursion of hers might
change everything.� Especially the fact that Ms.
Kuonji is currently seeing someone and Konatsu is
definitely not aware of that current event.
�� Doctor Toufu had his utter respect.� The way he had
fought him and avoided his deadliest skill demanded
such.� He vowed to have Mamuro train under him when he
was settled in the way of the Kendoist.� The doctor
was correct in that most of the moves in Kendo had
been rigidly formalized. � This would spell certain
death for any who used the blade. Hopefully Mamuro
will be able to develop other specialized moves.
�� Plum would most likely settle down to a normal life
as soon as this is over.� Logically, she would take
over the �family� business, even though the springs
themselves have lost all their powers when they had
all mixed together at Ranma�s previous battle with
Saffron.� As a tourist attraction and a possible
'training' site, the potential was there.
�� The guide's need for saving face was admirable. �
He more than anyone else here knows what they will
encounter and yet he unhesitatingly insisted in
joining.
�� Happousai had in the past always considered him
nothing more than a minor hindrance.� To suggest that
he was a capable fighter was high praise indeed. That
he had changed was more than obvious.
�� Tatewaki felt honored to aid Ranma in his quest. �
They were closer now as brothers and he would gladly
lay down his life in his defense.
�� Gosunkugi had never really had any friends, most
had shunned him, others feared him.� Even when he was
among his peers, they were wary of his abilities.�
Only his wife had ever loved him and she was the only
one he would ever open his heart to. In a way these
people have proven to be just as worthy for they had
accepted him as he is.
�� Konatsu was new to him.� He had heard of her then
but never met the kunoichi.� Although always in the
background she had shown that not only was she
competent but she was fiercely loyal to those she
considers her friends.� Gosunkugi hoped that someday,
she would count him as one.
�� He further knew that part of their acceptance of
him was his rescue of Plum from the rapists.� She was
a sweet girl and didn�t deserve such a fate.� Eleven
years his junior, there was no way they could be
romantically linked.
�� Her father might force the issue though. �
Gosunkugi hoped that he wasn�t took stuck into
tradition to invoke something as outdated as an
arranged marriage.� There has to be another way for
him to show his gratitude.� He suspected he might not
have a choice in the matter.
�� Doctor Toufu was man just like himself, he kept his
own counsel unless asked for and seemed to know more
than he lets on.� He played the part of the wise
father figure that neither patriarch of the Saotome or
Tendou households were.� Considering he was trained in
both western and eastern practices of medicine, he
would be the best to consult when it came to more than
just the physical pain.
�� Admittedly, he never liked Kunou Tatewaki. �There
was now a grudging respect, especially to the man�s
ability but it would take quite a while before he
would admit any kind of friendship towards him.
�� Like Tatewaki, Happousai was another of those that
he hated.� The man had so much power and yet was so
irresponsible.� The new Happousai was trying his best
to live up to his new credo.� Depending on what
happens later, Gosunkugi's view of the Anything Goes
Master will be set.
�� Ranma was the biggest surprise.� Once he came over
his initial shock, he calmly accepted him and his
powers. He even showed concern over Hikaru�s failed
marriage, something no one else had ever done.
Hopefully, by the time the final reckoning arrives, he
would be given an opportunity to repay the trust Ranma
has shown.
�� Dr. Toufu studied each one with a clinical eye. �
This would be one hell of a battle, especially right
after the massacre of the Musk Dynasty warriors.� He
himself had used very little chi, the only time was
when he had to test Kunou Tatewaki�s resolve and would
spend very little in the upcoming fight.� His mission
was to get to Shampoo and Genma.� Depending on his
diagnosis and whether the medicine he had brought
would be effective or not will determine his course of
action.
�� Tatewaki was an excellent choice as point-man. �
All of his specializations; the �drunken pincushion�,
the �call of heaven�, the �earth seeker�, could cut a
swath of destruction that they could rush through.�
The knife wounds were superficial and as he had said,
the lightning cauterized the wound immediately
afterwards.� He was already drawing on his chi to
sustain him in the battle.
�� Happousai was more than fit and ready.� His years
of experience have allowed him to use the least of the
chi and would be able to hold off the horde for a long
time.� Considering the �happo-fireburst� was
originally a chi-bomb, it would be interesting to find
out what other repertoire of tricks he has up his
sleeve.
�� Gosunkugi was an enigma.� He seemed to draw the
power of his spells from another source, his chi was
so faint one would have thought he was dead.� That was
most likely why he could always get the drop on Ranma,
for Ranma relied on his ability to read chi.�
Physically, the mage was living up to the image, but
was as tireless as Ranma.� That he could create a
defensive shield was a surety.
�� Konatsu was another mystery.� She, like Gosunkugi,
had very little chi present.� A closer �look� revealed
that she was constantly masking it.� He never saw her
in action, although there were some points in the
battle that seemed to just resolve themselves.� If it
was her doing, then she is a formidable lady and would
be able to give the necessary protection that he, Plum
and the guide will need.
�� He was thankful that Plum would be assisting him.
�Some of what he will do when he reaches Shampoo and
Genma may require a lot of chi. �With her permission,
Dr. Toufu planned to tap her energy.� Her youth would
be able to take the strain imposed.
�� Hopefully her father, the Jusenkyo Guide, wouldn�t
mind.� He was very protective of his daughter, more so
after what had just nearly happened to her.� Again, it
would all depend on what he determines at the Amazon
Village.
�� Of all, Ranma has used the most chi and yet his
power are back to full strength.� This personal
vendetta against him has sustained Ranma�s fire. Once
the battle is over though�
�� Konatsu was not completely truthful when she said
that her mask could see through illusions.� It could
also see through an opponent and reveal their
weakness.� Some were obvious, others were
indecipherable.
�� Among the latter was Gosunkugi.� He feared himself,
and yet not himself.� The fact that he dabbled in the
mystic arts was the probable reason for the conundrum.
�� Happy the old lech was the chain around the new
Happousai�s neck.� He had to constantly be on the
guard, lest he reverts to his old ways.� His reactions
when confronted with situations sexual had actually
taken more of his strength than the battle against the
Musk Dynasty.
�� Tatewaki, oddly enough, had no discernible
weakness. She realized that he had brought himself to
a mental plateau.� He neither thought of the past nor
the present, the strength given by insight and the
weakness brought by fear were also gone.� He lived for
the moment, his thoughts rooted in the code of Bushido
and his own righteousness.� A deadly man to mess with,
especially at this point in time.
�� Dr. Toufu�s weakness was one that everyone in the
medical profession dreaded.� An incorrect diagnosis
that would cause the death of a patient.� When that
happens, he would start doubting his own judgement and
that would lead to the downward spiral of
self-destruction.� His lifeline was Kasumi, for she
was his counter-balance.
�� Plum was a normal girl flung into an abnormal
situation, like Alice in Wonderland.� Even though this
is the second time she has ridden this roller coaster
ride, she feared that she won�t be able to pay the
toll next time and would be stuck in madness.� Konatsu
wondered if there was a way she could help the poor
girl live a normal life.
�� The Jusenkyo Guide feared for his daughter,
naturally.� A man of his generation, sadly he will
never be able to show his true love to her.� Hopefully
Plum would be able to accept what he gives.
�� Ranma was the easiest to discern.� He feared
losing, especially to one whose cause was considered
unjust and evil.� A hero through and through.� His
weakness was also his strength for he would never give
up as long as there was some life left in him.�
Konatsu vowed to aid him til the end.
�� Plum had never thought she would be embroiled again
in another of Ranma�s clashes.� Eleven years ago, her
father was abducted by Saffron and Ranma came to his
rescue.� Now, Saffron is again on the move and it is
Ranma again who would stop him.� Things were also
different this time, she was nearly raped and was
saved by the most unlikely of men.� Her father said
that she had also been freed of a �curse� that was
placed on her by Saffron by the same man.
�� She could see that under the mysterious shell that
Gosunkugi Hikaru-sama had erected was a tender, kind
man. She couldn�t explain it, but it was a feeling
that persisted whenever she looked at him.� She wished
she was older so that she can help ease his
loneliness, for he looked at her like a child rather
than a woman.
�� Happousai-sama was equally mysterious, she sensed
both age and youth, wisdom and brashness, an puzzle
that was too complex for her to decipher.� She didn�t
know what his relationship was with Cologne but the
two were a good pair.
�� Konatsu-san seemed like a woman who had just
discovered her own sexuality.� It was an odd feeling
coming from her, considering she was very beautiful.�
No normal man wouldn�t be attracted to her.� Which
confused Plum, for she felt a bit attracted to
Konatsu.
�� Kunou Tatewaki-san was a distant person. �He held
himself rigidly against a standard that no longer
existed. Honor, duty and family were his credo.� She
was something to protect because his codes said so.
�� Dr. Ono Toufu-sama was the one that Plum wanted to
emulate the most.� He was kind, and patient, and
helpful, and always made you feel good.� If an
opportunity presents itself, she will ask for his
assistance to get in the medical profession.
�� This would greatly benefit her father and the
people in the Amazon Village.� She liked them and
wouldn�t mind being a country doctor. �Her father
would no longer have to be a guide and can retire
peacefully.� She had sensed time and time again his
plans to put fish in the springs and make the area a
fishing site.� With the powers of the spring negated,
that idea looked more and more promising.
�� Saotome Ranma-sama had always been a nice man.
Always ready to help those he had met, if even
briefly.� Her impression of him had changed
radically.� She could no longer considered him a
hot-headed lout, compassion and self-discipline were
just two of the many improvement she had felt. He
also seemed less angry at the world.
�� The Jusenkyo Guide wondered what malignant star was
hiding in the heavens when he was born.� He has had
his fill of adventures, especially when the Saotomes
were involved and yet they weren�t through with him
�� Worse yet, his only child had been dragged into it
and nearly been desecrated.� He would not blame her if
she decided to stay in the Village of the Amazon and
shun all men.� He was a lousy father.
�� Gosunkugi had shown the kindness of a stranger,
saving her twice from the evil Saffron�s plans.� For
that he was forever grateful.
�� Dr. Toufu was another, having nursed her back to
health.� He was glad that she'd be at his side when
the battle commences.
�� Happousai was an odd one. He had heard of him,
whispered as myth in various campfires, never taken
seriously.� He never expected to see him as young as
the person in the well nigh forgotten tales.� Some
things were far different though, for the Happousai
that accompanied them definitely didn�t act like the
one mentioned in the stories.
�� Tatewaki was someone he had never met.� He seemed a
strong if somewhat aloof man.� His speech was the
hardest to make sense of, considering he only
understood one word out of ten whenever they talked
Japanese.
�� He had heard of Konatsu, their inn long forsaken.
�He couldn�t understand why. If Konatsu was an
example of the beauty one would encounter there, then
surely it would have been popular.� Perhaps her family
also had an unlucky star.
�� Like before, the sir Ranma had come to the aid of
those who were in need.� Possessing frightening
powers, especially for one so young, and the savagery
to use it in the massacre, most would have been a
swaggering over-confident boor.� Not so with this
group and Ranma in particular.� If anything, he showed
a sense of humility and concern for the upcoming
battle� This frightened the Jusenkyo Guide
tremendously.
�� "I guess this is it." Ranma held out his arm, his
hand palm downward.� The others placed their hands
over his with a determined slap, only the guide showed
some hesitation.� Ranma favored him a grin as the
guide added his.
�� With twilight just upon them, the remainder of
Ranma�s group headed for the Village of the Amazons.
--------------------------------------------
POST SCRIPT:
** Chinese equivalent of Shogi (or was it Go?).
Either way, you get the drift, right?
- 14 weeks after Chapter 6, Chapter 7 was finally
completed. The delay was due to:� a.) FALLOUT, an
excellent post-apocalyptic rpg,� b.) UNCHARTED WATERS
2: NEW HORIZONS, a KOEI game that I had been looking
for - for several years now, c.) Two personal projects
I've involved myself with, concerning an RPG group I'm
part of in my country, d.) and last but not least, my
web-page.
- Just like the previous chapters, running updates and
modifications were done from time to time.
- In case you�re wondering, Saffron doesn�t have
ice-blue eyes in the manga. I just decided - since he
was �reborn� and all - it would be cool if it had
changed color to something more �frosty�.
- Kurumi and Natsume are not from the manga (thus they
were never mentioned in the Memorial Book), but were
original characters introduced in the OAVs.
- I hope you people are not surprised / disappointed /
annoyed that the �rescue� here was not for those in
the Village of the Amazons but rather to Herb.
- For those who have just encountered this chapter,
the previous chapter can be found either in the FFML
archive or at http://fvector.virtualave.net/rv-1.htm
(for Chapter 1). Replacing the number will give the
appropriate chapter (ex: rv-2.htm is Chapter 2, etc.)
- This is the last chapter so far of Ranma 1/2 V. I
am still in the process of making Chapter 8 and will
post it as soon as I've finished with it. I thank all
who have spent the time reading my work (and
additional thanks go out to those who bothered to C&C
me).
- This story is the first draft of the only Ranma
fan-fic I will ever write. C&C will be used as a
guide for the re-write (which will happen 3 months
after the last chapter is posted). As always, please
send all C&C privately to either fvector@yahoo.com or fvector@usa.net
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