Draft version.
All C&C is most welcome.
Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is the property of Rumiko Takahashi
and her publishers. I am merely using the characters for
the purpose of profit-free entertainment and make no claim
on them.
Vincent Seifert has kindly provided webspace for most of my
fanfics and links to the rest at the following address:
http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/seifertv/kagami/
You can contact me at: kagami@jeack.com.au
---
The black outlines of the island loomed in the distance as
Umibouzu surged closer. It was a small spike of land built
up around an extinct volcano, the rocky crater rearing
prominently above the scattered clumps of trees. Jagged
rocks lined the scraggly beach, barely more than a thin
strip of glassy sand. The island was a welcome if
foreboding sight, but Ranma hardly gave it a glance.
Instead, all his attention was focused on the rolling ocean
behind him.
Where the great tenebrous form of the Ayakashi - Cardinal
Servant to Masakado, Demon Lord of the South - plowed
through the waves and bore down upon them.
Ranma could scarcely observe any details. The vast bulk of
the enemy lay hidden beneath the dark blue waters of the
Pacific. All he knew was that it would catch them before
they reached the relative safety of the island. The others -
Ryoga, Ukyo, Kodachi, and Shampoo - were already on their
feet, their recent poker game forgotten, and the cards
discarded to flutter away in the whipping wind. Akane stood
beside him, right hand clutching the hilt of her mother's
katana nervously.
<Umibouzu!> he called in the depths of his mind. <We won't
make it!>
<Indeed not.> The Great Devourer's voice was steady and
contemplative. <Still, there may be a means around the
problem. Are you able to fly?>
<What?! No way! What the heck makes ya ask that?!>
<Pity. The removal of your presence would permit me to
face the Ayakashi on even terms. You could then proceed to
the island while I combat my ancient foe.>
Ranma snorted in disbelief. <Well, we can't fly! What gave
you that stupid idea anyway?>
<Then enter my mouth, and I will endeavour to propel you
towards the island with my breath. Will your human
companions survive the impact?> Umibouzu asked solemnly.
<Ya gotta be joking! Spit us to the island?!> Ranma
snorted, beyond disbelief and fast entering the zone of
incredulity. Even so, he turned to look at the distant
shore. Ryoga would survive the landing, that much was
certain, and perhaps Shampoo, but it was impossible to
judge about the other girls.
"Ranma, we'll have to swim for it, won't we?" Akane asked
with grim determination. She continued with upbeat
confidence, "Don't worry about me, Ranma. I can make it!
The ocean's a lot more buoyant than a swimming pool!"
"There is another way," Ranma offered tentatively.
---
An Awakening of Demons
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic
By Kagami
Chapter 10: Sleeping Dragons
---
"You're crazy, Ranchan!" declared Ukyo as Umibouzu twisted
his gigantic head around and opened his jaws, revealing a
voluminous gullet that spiralled into unending gloom.
Emphatic concurrence came from the others as they stared
into the darkness.
Ranma gagged slightly on the fetid stench that issued from
the serpentine innards of the Great Devourer, and he shook
his head, both to clear it of the reeking miasma and to
refute Ucchan's words. "No, it's our only chance. Look,
it's simple: Umibouzu spits Ryoga and me over ta the island
and we catch you guys when he sends ya along. Otherwise
we'll all be in the water as soon as that thing catches up
to us." He pointed towards the surging form of the Ayakashi.
"I understand completely, Ranma-sama," Kodachi said
reassuringly.
"You do?" Ranma asked eagerly. "I mean, of course, ya do.
It's a reasonable plan, after all--"
"You've merely taken a momentary leave of your senses,
Ranma-sama. It's quite understandable, what with the truth
of your half-demon heritage, the kidnapping of your mother
by your psychotic half-sister, and your adopted father
ending up in hospital. Why, I believe that I shall be the
winner of Nabiki Tendo's betting pool on this matt--"
"No, dammit! It's perfectly safe-- Hey! What's this about
a 'betting pool'?!"
Shampoo looked crestfallen. "Aiyah! If only Ranma have
stronger mind to match body; Shampoo bet you stay sane for
two week more."
"Geez, I can't believe you guys!" Ranma growled. "Look,
I'll go first, just to show you all it can be done." He
stepped confidently into the open jaws.... The murky maw of
the giant serpent closed upon Ranma, swallowing him in
darkness. Thankfully, it also cut off the host of 'You're
totally insane!' looks from his fiancees and Ryoga.
The stench within the craw of the Great Devourer was even
worse: a putrescent malodor of rotting fish and flesh.
Ranma wrinkled his nose in disgust and held his breath.
Didn't Umibouzu ever brush his teeth? <You better know
whatcha doing, ya big lug!> he muttered mentally.
Umibouzu sniffed in disdain, causing Ranma to clasp hands
over his ears to ward against the shrieking wind from the
huge intake of air. <Prepare yourself, Ranma Saotome. And
pray refrain from calling me a big lug in the future.>
<That's if I have a future!> The pressure built and built,
crushing and squeezing him until he was forced to suck in a
lungful of fetid air in a futile attempt to equalize the
strain. Just as Ranma thought he would be reduced to a
flattened pulp, Umibouzu opened his jaws and exhaled,
expelling him with the force of a bullet.
He hurtled through the air like a carefree bird, the
slipstream carrying away the miasmic cloud clinging to his
body. For a moment, he felt oddly exultant, reveling in the
pure sensation of flight over water, then he remembered he
had no idea how to land... and the ground, the narrow strip
of beach on the edge of the island, was rushing up.
Looks like Umibouzu's trajectory is a bit short, he
calculated analytically. That was fine though; he knew how
to handle water landings. Ranma splashed down with perfect
ease, legs buckling slightly to take the impact, aided by
the shallow surf.
A black shadow grew on the water surface, causing Ranma to
scoot out of the way as Ryoga plummeted to the ground with
a distinct lack of grace. The plume of cold water splashed
up by Ryoga's landing spattered around him, and Ranma found
himself rather glad of the protection from the waterproof
soap.
Ryoga staggered upright, spitting water, only to be
flattened by a landing Shampoo. She bounced off him and
touched down on the shore with feline elegance. Turning,
she looked at Ryoga's fallen form with his arms akimbo and
legs splayed. "Aiyah, is Pig-Boy. Ranma, you no catch!"
"Sorry, Shampoo. It was Ryoga's turn." Ranma shrugged,
then leaped to catch a descending Akane. She thudded into
his arms solidly. "Oof! Say, Akane, have you put on some
weight?"
"Idiot!" Akane whacked him on the head and jumped off.
"Hurry up and catch Ukyo instead of insulting me!"
"Right, right," Ranma grumbled as he proceeded to do just
that. Ukyo fell into his arms just as nicely as Akane, and
he quickly set her down. "Yo, Ucchan. Nice trip?"
"Hmph!" Ukyo snorted derisively. "I'm not gonna do that
again anytime soon."
Ranma nodded, then prodded Ryoga's floating form with a
foot as he spied Kodachi dropping down. "Your turn, P-chan."
"Don't call me that, Ranma!" Ryoga jumped upright, hurling
a deadly glare at Ranma.
It was cut short as Kodachi landed on his head with both
feet, driving him into the water again. Kodachi gracefully
somersaulted off him and made a pinpoint landing onto the
beach. "Oh dear, Ryoga-sama, are you hurt?" she asked,
spying him floating facedown.
A piercing screech interrupted them. Ranma gritted his
teeth and slapped both hands over his ears, feeling the
high-pitched sound stab directly into his brain. He stared
out to sea towards Umibouzu. The girls followed suit, along
with a recovered Ryoga.
The scream came from the rearing form of the Ayakashi,
undoubtedly upset at losing his prey. Ranma whistled
soundlessly as he finally caught a glimpse of sea monster's
true form. The Ayakashi appeared similar in shape to a mega-
sized unsegmented earthworm. Its protruding head was more
pointed than the rounded end of a worm, and as Ranma
watched, it split apart into four sections, revealing a
hideous maw filled with saw-toothed fangs.
Ranma winced as the wail sounded again, followed by
Umibouzu's bellowed challenge. A torrent of water exploded
into the air as Umibouzu launched himself from the ocean
and twisted his serpentine body to complete an impressively
tight turn for so massive a being. The Great Devourer's
voice pulsed in his mind, <Go now, Ranma Saotome. I shall
hold off the Ayakashi.>
<Right,> he replied.
Yet the monstrous Ayakashi was not finished with them.
Even as he watched and Umibouzu closed in, its gaping mouth
spat out several white forms toward the island, along with
another angry screech. Four, five, six-- "Get back,
everyone!" Suiting action to words, Ranma splashed for the
shore.
He didn't quite make it.
The white blobs dropped all around him and the others,
surrounding them. They reared up, faceless heads swivelling
towards the group of martial artists. Ayakashi's spawn
seemed completely amorphous, little more than lumps of
jelly, but then they began to alter their form,
transforming into a more humanoid shape.
"Get out of the way!" Ryoga yelled as he unslung and
slammed his heavy umbrella directly into the head of one of
the blobs. It sank deep, but failed to apparently harm the
gel-like being, which reformed its crushed head around the
umbrella tip. Ryoga attempted to pull his metal-shod rain-
shield free, only to discover it was held with an iron
grip. He tugged uselessly for a moment, then reluctantly
released it as he found he was being slowly drawn forward.
For a moment, the tableau held still as the white humanoid
shape sluggishly devoured the metal umbrella.
"Crap!" muttered Ranma in disgust. As if his utterance was
a signal, the six spawn began lurching forward, one beast
staggering toward each of them.
"Beware, Ranma-sama, Ryoga-sama, these beasts are Saikin:
soulless, organ-less beings indestructible by ordinary
means," Kodachi declared. "I have read that they are the
final remnants of those devoured by the foul creature. The
Saikin are supposedly immortal, though I would not wish
that form of immortality on anyone."
"You couldn't have told us a little earlier?" Ryoga asked
Kodachi as he watched the final moments of yet another
treasured umbrella.
"So what do we do?" Akane yelled out as the Saikin closed
in. She held her mother's katana close, but refused to draw
it, having seen the loss of Ryoga's umbrella.
"Their greatest weakness is their slow speed," Kodachi
said, calling forth her Soul-Whip from her Devil Hunter
brooch. The glimmering weapon dangled from her gripping
fist, tip trailing in the water. "Also they are said to be
highly vulnerable to flame."
"Ryoga?" questioned Ranma.
"Do you see my backpack anywhere, Ranma?" came the surly
reply.
"Great, that means we're out of here!" Ranma grabbed
Akane, ignoring her startled yelp and lofted her into the
air. He did the same to Ukyo, then launched himself from
the closing circle of white shapes. Ryoga, Shampoo, and
Kodachi followed, bounding hastily after him.
The Saikin turned and began to plod after them.
---
Cologne was poring through the stacks of ancient books
occupying much of the Kuno family library when a series of
wordless shouts alerted her. Frowning, she grabbed her
staff and hopped to the door. She cocked an ear and
listened cautiously, then swiftly headed for the garden.
The gardeners maintained the carefully and exquisitely
landscaped area well: the garden pool sat placid and clear,
a separate hot spring bubbled merrily, rows of hedges lay
neatly trimmed, and a host of small trees cast elegant
shadows over their surroundings.
Cologne paid little enough attention to the garden, except
to acknowledge the obvious care that had gone into it.
Instead, she merely scanned the wide expanse briefly to
ensure no enemy was attacking, then focused her attention
on the source of the shouts.
Tatewaki Kuno was practicing.
He stood poised in the traditional kendo stance. The tip
of the bokken was held level with his head, while his hands
gripped the hilt low. His feet were edged apart, one in
front of the other, and his breathing was evenly regulated
as he held the pose.
"Hyaaaa!" Kuno expelled his breath in an explosive burst
of air, and struck like lightning.
An innocent watermelon fell to the ground in sixteen neat
slices.
Cologne applauded the display of skill. One should always
appreciate such a high level of technique... even if it
could only be applied to watermelons.
"Happi-- Happosai taught you that one, did he not?"
Kuno turned and lowered his wooden practice sword. He
bowed in greeting. "Indeed, Elder." Tatewaki Kuno was not
inclined to engage in pointless courtesy, except with those
he favoured, but it paid well to be cautious around the
ancient and powerful. Happosai had taught him that as well.
Cologne nodded, eyes hooded thoughtfully. "An interesting
technique. Would you be interested in learning how to
extend its usefulness?"
"What?! Why, certainly!" He drew himself up haughtily.
"Teach the great Tatewaki Kuno your wisdom, Elder, that he
might smite the demon Saotome for the grievous wrongs he
has perpetuated on my dear sister!"
Cologne sighed. "Yes, well."
"But first, Elder, I would hear the reasons why yourself
and these many strangers have chosen to inhabit the home of
the Blue Thunder. I have permitted it due to my sister's
pleas, but I mean to know the truth."
"Very well, but it's funny you should call Ranma a
demon...." Cologne chuckled wryly.
---
Being chased by an immortal horde of humanoid intestinal
worms through the tree-covered hills of the small island
was not Ranma Saotome's idea of fun. They had outdistanced
their slow pursuers, giving them a slight breathing space,
but it was hardly a guarantee of safety. Yet somehow the
girls still managed to find time and energy to bicker and
banter.
"Shampoo no see why Crazy Rose Girl still chase after
Ranma. Is not demon and Devil Hunter mortal enemies?"
"Hey!" Ranma protested. "No need to get any ideas now,
Kodachi."
"Ohohohohoho! 'Tis easy enough to see through your
insidious plan, you peasant Chinese girl! Kodachi Kuno will
never be deceived by such pathetic attempts to divide her
from one destiny has declared hers." She sneered with
obvious contempt.
Ranma shivered, feeling suddenly cold.
"Bah! Is no plan, only question. Shampoo know Devil Hunter
must try kill demon sooner or later. So, Shampoo save Ranma
from Crazy Rose Girl," the Chinese Amazon fingered her
bonbori and sword meaningfully, "then we go and make good
nookie. Is good idea, yes, Ranma?"
"Well--" For a brief moment he felt warmer.
Snick.
"N-No way! Absolutely not!" Ranma declared manfully as his
internal body temperature suddenly dropped again. He edged
the sharp katana blade away from his throat. "Geez, Akane,
do ya have to?"
"Hmph." Akane casually lopped off a few heads of
vegetation, then returned the katana to scabbard and
stalked ahead. "Play with the others if you want, but we've
still got those things after us, Ranma!" she called back,
disappearing into the undergrowth.
"My, my, Ranma-sama. I hardly see why you allow Akane
Tendo to treat you in such fashion." Kodachi lidded her
eyes and smirked. "You should teach her the proper role for
one of her station."
"Don't talk about Akane-san that way!" Ryoga snapped,
fists clenched and eyes blazing.
"Ohohohoho! But Ryoga-sama, I would permit you to teach me
my proper role...." Kodachi chuckled wickedly as Ryoga
snapped a hand to his nose and stumbled back, suddenly pale-
faced as blood rushed elsewhere in his body. "Really, do
none of you see the wonderful dichotomy in a relationship
between Devil Hunter and demon? Such a forbidden romance!
Such wicked excitement! Such sweet--"
"--nauseating tripe! Grow up, Kodachi! Can't you see
Ranchan doesn't want any part of you?" Ukyo put in, casting
metaphorical spatulas with an irritated look.
"I am so hurt!" declared Kodachi. "Ranma-sama, help me
assuage my pain! I--" She broke off, frowning, as they came
up to a halted Akane Tendo. "What now?"
"Hsst! Can't you feel it?" Akane hissed. "It's like some
sort of energy crawling over my skin."
The six-member group came to a complete stop, each one
reaching out with their senses to detect any sign of an
anomaly. Ranma could feel something, now that he was no
longer distracted by Kodachi's innuendo and the squabbling
girls.
"Shampoo no feel anything." The Chinese Amazon looked
annoyed. "Why Pervert Girl can?"
"I don't anything either, Sugar," muttered Ukyo.
"No, I can feel something." Ranma nodded confidently. "And
it's coming from over there. Let's go!" He started east at
a brisk pace, forcing the others to catch up. His ears
twitched as a soft song from the distance caressed them.
"Is that music I hear?" Kodachi asked with bemusement.
---
Nabiki Tendo was brooding. To put it properly, she was
sulking, but she preferred the term brooding, since it
implied she was actually thinking about a method to resolve
her problem. Namely, she was in the presence of a veritable
hoard of treasure that she could not trade, sell, use,
exchange, auction, market, barter, or peddle. Not with a
hideous troll mummy perusing and guarding it.
It riled her very soul to just leave the ancient trove of
knowledge alone. That was why she was in the library, while
Cologne wasn't around, punishing herself for her inability
to find some means of profit. Nabiki sat next to a small
table and fondled an old manuscript about Chinese demons.
"You may help me in my research, if you wish, Tendo-san."
Nabiki yelped as she spun around, heart in her mouth. It
was merely Cologne. She let out a short gasp of relief.
"Dammit, don't do that!"
"You seem rather nervous, Tendo-san," Cologne observed.
"It might help to do something while we wait. Can you read
Chinese?"
"'Fraid not. I can take care of any Japanese texts you
have, though."
Cologne nodded briefly. "That stack over there." She
pointed over to a moderate stack of books.
Nabiki seated herself and picked up the first weather-
beaten tome. She read the title and gaped incredulously.
Heian Poetry by Oni of Legend?! Oh well. She opened it and
started reading. A minute later, she put it down and
glanced over to where Cologne was engrossed in her own
study. "Cologne-san, why don't we get some professional
researchers in from a school or university to help us out?"
she asked in her most wheedling tone.
Cologne looked up and sighed. "Is money all you really
care about, Tendo-san?"
"Well, yes." Nabiki let the matter drop, seeing Cologne
had seen through her gambit. Not that she had seriously
meant it, of course. The ploy was a little too obvious
after all. She considered a more serious question. "Why
does Ranma appear completely human, Cologne-san?"
"Now that is a good question." Cologne nodded in approval.
"I don't know for sure, Tendo-san. I speculate that Ranma's
demon father, Yami-no-Tsume, bequeathed him his human form
when impregnating Saotome-san. But that is mere speculation."
Nabiki felt slightly ill at the thought of real-life
demonic impregnation. Hastily she reassured herself that it
was probably nothing like her small collection of videos.
After all, Auntie Nodoka was still alive.... "Demons can do
that?"
"Only the most powerful. If true, it suggests a great deal
of control by Yami-no-Tsume, more than I would have
expected from even a Demon Lord. Even worse, it is a very
unusual move, for Yami-no-Tsume would surely have wished
his son as heir. Giving Ranma a human guise would hardly be
appropriate in that sense."
"But Shukumaru and all the other demons know who he
is...." Nabiki pointed out.
"Now that he has come into his power, yes, it becomes
obvious. The most reasonable explanation is that it was to
hide Ranma from enemies, but Yami-no-Tsume could not have
known beforehand that it would have been necessary; he
would have expected to raise Ranma from birth." Cologne
shook her head doubtfully. "No, it is suggestive of a
deeper game, and one that worries me."
"I see." And she did see. Like Cologne, Nabiki regarded
the unknown circumstances of nearly twenty years ago with a
fair amount of misgiving.
It seemed the past only brought with it trouble.
---
The trees opened up suddenly into a large clearing before
the mountainside, a steep rocky face that extended into the
air towards a distant craterous peak. Ranma did not bother
looking, all his senses were focused on the figure seated
on a small outcropping of stone.
The young girl appeared to be in her late teens to early
twenties, clothed in an outlandish mix of pale blue kimono,
leather boots, and a sky blue beret seated atop a head of
lustrous red hair that flowed to her waist. She cradled a
small mandolin, tweaking the strings and tightening the
keys with one hand. Her face was a mask of concentration,
beautiful but marred with a frown focused on the instrument
in her arms.
Ranma's senses screamed out that this was the source of
the energy he had felt earlier. Akane touched his arm, and
he acknowledged her unspoken query with a nod. It seemed an
obvious trap; only a complete fool would--
"Hello!" Ryoga called out. "Are you lost?"
The girl raised her head, seemingly surprised. Cerulean
eyes that matched the colour of her kimono blinked
uncertainly. "Oh hello." She stood up and carefully laid
the mandolin on the rocky outcropping before smoothing down
her kimono. "Are you visitors to the island?"
"Idiot!" Ranma whispered harshly to Ryoga.
"What?!" Ryoga protested obliviously.
"The rest of you stay back. I mean it! This is my fight!"
Ranma added, jerking a thumb back. "Just me and old Seiryu
over there."
"Seiryu!" gasped Ukyo. "How could you keep that to
yourself, Ranchan?! When you said an ally, I never thought--"
"Who's Seiryu?" Akane and Ryoga asked nearly
simultaneously, puzzled.
"Oh, just the Eastern Blue Dragon of ancient legend,"
commented Kodachi nonchalantly.
"Um, hello?"
"Aiyah, is ancient Chinese myth. Shampoo not know Japanese
have same legend." Shampoo glanced over at the slender girl
who had one hand half-raised in a bid for attention.
"Though she no look like powerful dragon in least bit."
"Uh--" The girl waved weakly.
"Just stay well back, okay?" Ranma strode out into the
clearing, flexing his fingers and loosening his joints in
preparation. "Hah! Ya don't fool me, Seiryu. I can smell
the stink of power rising off you."
Kodachi narrowed her eyes. "Ranma-sama is quite correct.
The aura of power is enormous."
"Oh, but surely you wouldn't hurt an innocent girl?" the
girl asked meekly, eyes downcast and hands clasped together.
Ranma smirked. "Since you're really a dragon in disguise,
I don't hafta go easy on ya!" He suddenly leapt forward,
fist cocked and every sense alert for the change that would
surely happen. The Blue Dragon was certain to attempt a
quick strike when it reverted back to natural form, and he
was determined not to be caught off-guard.
"YEEEK!" The girl cried out, ducking her head in obvious
terror and throwing up a thin arm in a futile attempt at
defence. Ranma's fist stopped inches from her horrified
face, and she burst into tears. Loud sobs wracked her frail
form as she stood there, trembling.
"Erk! No, wait! Don't cry! I didn't--" Ranma danced around
her, bouncing with sudden contrition and remorse, puppy-
eyes begging for forgiveness. His fists were held over his
mouth and clenched tight. He came to a halt in front of her
and waved a hand in earnest entreaty. "Please stop?"
"Ranma-sama, don't let down your--"
"It was a mistake!"
"--guard. It's a--"
"I didn't mean it!"
"--trick!" Grumbling, Kodachi glanced over at the others.
"Honestly, I do not believe he is listening to m-- Watch
out!"
"Idiot." Seiryu looked up, cerulean eyes aglow and
crocodile tears evaporating into mist. Her long red hair
fanned out, streaming behind her and rising with the
crackle of intense power. She thrust out her hand and a
bright-orange flare of fiery energy burst forth, hurling
Ranma into the rocky outcropping behind.
"Ranma!" screamed Akane. Echoing cries came from the other
three girls as he slammed into the stone face, impacting
with a cracking sound of thunder. A cloud of dust billowed
up, obscuring his limp form.
"Foolish half-demon, you are obviously too weak to be a
proper chal-- Eh?"
The rising wind swept away the dusty haze to reveal Ranma,
still standing and conscious, though somewhat singed and
with his clothes smouldering slightly. He grinned, a
remarkably fierce and almost feral expression. "You didn't
really think ya could fool me, didja? Geez, I used to take
in Ryoga with better acting than that cheap fakery--"
"Ranma! How dare you bring that up!" Ryoga growled.
"--but I hadda give ya the chance." Ranma brought his
fists up in a defensive stance. "Come on then!"
"Prepare yourself!" Seiryu surged forward, eyes blazing
and arms blurring into swift punches. Ranma effortlessly
blocked them all, but he was forced to give ground and fell
back. The girl only grinned and increased the speed and
power of her blows.
Ranma continued to block her strikes, but he winced as hot
flashes of pain erupted on his forearm. He almost missed
the next blow, compensated just enough to catch it, then
winced again as another burst of discomfort shot through
his blocking arm. Her arms were glowing red, he realized
abruptly, leaving smoking trails of fire behind every punch.
His own arms began throbbing with dull agony from the
repeated burning impacts. The whirlwind of incoming blows
battered at his defences. Every dodge, every block, every
move became a calculated risk. He couldn't avoid them all.
As soon as he thought that, he missed one. The brief jolt
left him gasping for breath and grimly determined to evade
further contacts.
He survived the next couple of seconds unscathed except
for the bruising punishment on his arms, then two more
punches slipped through. Then another... and another....
"Dammit, Ranma! Do something, you idiot!" Akane yelled
out, biting her lip with worry. The idiot was going to get
himself killed at this rate.
"No, Akane, look at the aura!" Ukyo hissed, laying a
restraining arm on her shoulder. "It's swirling!"
"What?!" Akane stared in sudden comprehension. She dove
for cover. Shampoo and Ukyo did likewise, and Ryoga tugged
down Kodachi. "Get down! He's going to use it! The--"
At the center of the spiralling aura, Ranma felt the chill
of the Soul of Ice enter his bones. A final blow arced in,
and deep down, in the midst of his own preparations, he
knew he would never be able to stop it. The near-certainty
of death lanced into his heart. He really did hate to hit
girls, he mused absently. This way he wouldn't have to....
Ranma punched straight up into the air.
"HIRYU SHOTEN HA!"
The cyclonic winds sprang into being immediately, gusting
with enormous force as the dragon reared to the heavens to
sate its hunger upon a distant celestial gem. It clawed
into the night sky, uprooting everything nearby; bushes,
rocks, even small trees were flung into the maelstrom.
Ranma lost sight of Seiryu as she was swept away into the
swirling storm.
It grew larger and larger; the winds gusted ferociously as
the hot and cold air violently combined to stir the
tremendous power of nature. The dragon's endless appetite
knew no bounds, sucking up nearly everything within its
reach and desiring more, ever more. Ranma was very glad he
had told the girls to stay back, far back.
Safe in the center, Ranma stared into the tumultuous
spiral and awaited the completion of the dragon's heavenly
ascent. The winds slowly died down as the dragon started
snacking on a nearby star, and the fury of its lashing tail
dissipated. "Well, that was easy," he muttered as he
scanned the sky for the falling speck that would be Seiryu.
"Very impressive."
"Yup, my coolest mo-- Gyaaah!" Ranma leapt away, shaking
with shock, as he recognized the person standing beside
him. Seiryu turned her eyes away from the heavens and
stared at Ranma. He stared back, feeling the briefest touch
of panic on his soul. "How did you--?"
The girl waved a hand negligently. "Oh, if I had actually
been here in person, the winds might have blown me away.
But this body is merely an extension of Seiryu's power - a
guardian avatar whilst she sleeps. As it were, your move
disrupted the bonds holding together my form for a brief
instant."
"All right, then we'll do this the hard way," Ranma said,
bringing up his fists and settling into an attack posture.
She shook her head. "No need. I judge you worthy of
speaking to Seiryu. Come with me."
"Huh? Wait a minute. Ain'tcha Seiryu?" Ranma asked,
perplexed.
The girl frowned. "I am... and I am not. When Seiryu is
awake, I am a part of her mind. When she is asleep, the
dissociation is greater. I still draw upon her power, but I
think and reason for myself. If need be, you may address me
as Moeru. Come, Seiryu will explain herself."
---
"Kasumi-sama, I was wondering if you would like a hand
with dinner preparations?" Konatsu asked deferentially. The
Kuno family chefs had found themselves agreeably sharing
their most holy of places - their kitchen - with the
cheerful eldest Tendo daughter without much ado, and she
was presently getting ready for the evening meal.
Kasumi looked up from her chopping of vegetables and
smiled. "I would be delighted. And please, call me Kasumi."
"Of course, Kasumi-sa-- er, Kasumi," Konatsu corrected
himself. "Please call me Konatsu."
"Konatsu." Kasumi nodded her agreement. "What would you
like to do?"
"Well, Ukyo-sama has trained me in mastering the art of
okonomiyaki cooking. I should be able to handle the
preparations of any raw vegetables you might have."
"Please," Kasumi murmured, waving a hand of invitation at
the small mounds of leeks, onions, and cabbages piled upon
the countertop. A quick movement snagged and set down
another chopping board and sharp knife.
Konatsu bowed in appreciation of watching a master at
work, for Kasumi was undoubtedly a true mistress of her
art. A small flip tested the balance of the knife, and the
kunoichi soon settled into a steady rhythm of halving and
slicing onions. Eventually, he gave voice to his concern.
"I wonder how Ukyo-sama and the others are doing?"
"Oh, I'm certain they're fine, Konatsu." Kasumi looked out
the kitchen window for a long moment, as though she could
actually see the wandering group of martial artists, then
cheerily nodded. "Ranma and the others will come home
safely. I'm sure of it."
Konatsu bowed again. "Thank you for your kind reassurance,
Kasu-- er, is that smoke coming from the oven?"
Kasumi paled and hurried over to the smoking wall oven.
She donned a pair of mitts, opened the door, and hastily
rescued a tray of blackened cookies.
"Oh dear, I was sure I set the timer properly."
---
Ranma followed the red-haired girl who called herself
Moeru and Seiryu's avatar down the steep descending tunnel.
She had waved open a pitch-black entrance into the
mountainside and stepped in, beckoning the group to follow
her. They had, albeit not without some misgivings.
"Ranma-sama, do you really think it appropriate to follow
a completely unknown and untrustworthy person into the
darkness in this manner?" Kodachi asked archly.
"I don't think it's a great idea, no," groused Ranma as he
stared into the dim-lit stretch of tunnel ahead. The light
came from a dancing flame in Seiryu's - no, Moeru's -
cupped palm, and he was uneasily aware that it could be
snuffed out at any moment.
He wasn't worried for himself; his night vision had
improved a great deal, as had his hearing, ever since his
first confrontation with his half-sister, Shukumaru, on the
docks. That had been a mere four days ago, but even so, he
could now clearly see the outlines of the rough hewn walls
despite the flickering light. No, what concerned him was
the others, especially Akane.
"Do you see another choice?" he asked.
"No, Ranma-sama, I do not," Kodachi replied in a somewhat
subdued voice.
"Well, this is all clearly Ryoga's fault--"
"My fault?!" Ryoga objected.
"--'cause you forgot your pack and stuff," needled Ranma.
"How was I supposed to know we'd be stumbling around in
the dark, huh?" Ryoga fired back. "This is all your fault
for not telling us in the first place, Ranma!"
"Oh yeah? I--"
His ready retort, and Akane's usual "Stop picking on Ryo--
" were abruptly cut off by Moeru's sharp glare from up front.
"Hush! You come into the presence of the Blue Dragon!" she
hissed harshly.
The downward- sloping tunnel levelled out and opened up
into a large cavern. Moeru raised her hand and the cupped
flame flared fiercely, scattering light about and revealing
the actual immensity of the deep cave. It was huge,
stretching far into the distance, but that hardly drew
Ranma's attention.
No, his gaze was fully focused on the enormous head that
rested on the ground before him: draconian in shape, with
an elongated snout, long, trailing whiskers, and a pair of
spiral horns. The monstrous head was on par with the Tendo
Dojo and household in size. For the first time in his life,
Ranma truly felt insignificant. Not even the Orochi,
Umibouzu or the Ayakashi compared in magnitude; Seiryu
dwarfed them all.
Glimmering azure scales, each equal to Ryoga's lost
umbrella, covered Seiryu's features, growing to twice or
three times those dimensions at the neck ridge. The rest of
the Blue Dragon's body stretched out behind the massive
head and disappeared into the darkness. Ranma found himself
unable to gain a true impression of the ancient beast and
he wondered whether to be glad or not.
"Aiyah," Shampoo said quietly, sounding a little shaken.
"Is huge...."
"You got that right, Sugar," Ukyo muttered, obviously
attempting brashness, but her words fell flat in the dead
silence of the cavern. "Remind me why I came along with
you, Ranchan."
Ranma took a deep breath, suddenly aware that he had not
drawn any air for nearly a minute. This was some 'ally'
Umibouzu had - reluctantly - suggested. Now he understood
that reluctance. Fortunately, the greatest Cardinal Servant
of the East remained locked in slumber. The faintest rumble
of a snore reached his sensitive ears and the eyelids
stayed closed.
Even in the depths of sleep, Seiryu emanated an incredible
amount of power into the still air. It almost hurt to look
at the slumbering form. Ranma glanced from the Blue Dragon
to Moeru, and resolved never to mistake the avatar for the
real thing ever again.
"Ranma-sama, do you know the old gaijin saying about
letting sleeping dragons lie, lest they awaken?" Kodachi
whispered softly.
"Isn't that sleeping dogs?" wondered Akane aloud.
A great yellow eye slowly opened to impale them on a
merciless gaze; Seiryu, the Blue Dragon of the East, had
awoken.
Ranma swallowed and took a step forward to confront the
Cardinal Servant, shaking his head in answer to Shampoo's
questioning look. He would handle this himself. A small
sound to the left distracted him and he stopped in
surprise. Moeru was diffusing into thin air, her body
transforming into a wisp of blue smoke that hung motionless.
"What the h...." Ranma's question trailed away as he
became aware that Seiryu's yellow eyes were now focused on
him.
<Greetings, half-demon!> Seiryu's mental voice thundered
in Ranma's mind, and judging from the sudden winces from
the others, everyone else's minds as well. <Be welcome to
the realm of Seiryu!> The Blue Dragon snorted suddenly,
expelling twin jets of white smoke. <Now explain your
presence before I decide to devour your pitiful carcasses!>
"I'm Ranma Saotome, Heir to the School of Anything-Goes
and the Eastern Throne!" Ranma called out brashly, deciding
to go for broke. The small irritation of having every demon
and being point out his half-demon heritage as if it was a
slur pricked his pride. So what if Yami-no-Tsume had sired
him? He was Ranma Saotome, and that was all that mattered.
"I'm here to get your help, Seiryu, and I've already shown
your avatar what I can do!"
<My aid? _You_ would challenge me?!> Seiryu sounded
completely incredulous, which annoyed Ranma no end. <You
stand no chance at all.>
"No? Why don't we have a little match about it?"
<No.> The Blue Dragon spoke with finality. <It is not
worth my time nor your death. If you had been a Demon Lord,
I would show you the error of your ways. As it is, I permit
you to leave with your life and gain greater wisdom. Accept
my benevolence; I will not offer it again.>
"No, dammit!" Ranma growled in frustration. "Umibouzu said
we needed your help, and I ain't leaving until I get it!"
"Ranma...." whispered Akane.
He ignored the sound of his name, and focused all of his
attention and anger on the great form before him.
"Shukumaru may already have gotten another of the Cardinal
Servants to help her. Umibouzu can't stand against two of
them, especially out of the water. You're all I've got,
Seiryu, and I ain't gonna wimp out now that we've come so
far."
<I care not for the circumstances of your troubles, half-
demon, but....> Ranma felt his hopes rise ever so slightly.
<If Umibouzu feels you worthy of his aid, then it behooves
me to consider your case.> The yellow orbs closed for a
long moment, and Ranma held his breath. Then they opened,
and Seiryu rendered his decision. <Show yourself worthy of
my aid, Ranma Saotome. Truly defeat my avatar in this
instance, and I shall grant you power in equal proportion!>
Jets of vaporous smoke, now tinged blue, issued forth from
Seiryu's nostrils to mix with the faint wispy residue of
Moeru, and she abruptly coalesced into human form once
again. The red-haired girl gave him a faint smile.
"We meet again, Ranma Saotome. This time I won't be so easy
on you."
---
Author's Notes:
1) The Ayakashi - this creature appears in 'Ushio and
Tora', a fairly well-known anime about a demon hunter
(Ushio) and his demonic partner (Tora) who seems more
inclined towards eating him. The Ayakashi in this story is
almost similar, being a gigantic, worm-like sea monster,
but the four-section jaw and the internal Saikin are made
up. Unfortunately, I do not know the translation of its
name - any help would be welcomed.
2) Saikin - literally 'germ' or 'bacterium'.
3) Seiryu - one of four famous and legendary cardinal
creatures which have appeared in various forms in several
manga and anime, notably: 'Yu Yu Hakusho' (as four Makai
demons), 'Fushigi Yugi' (as the four gods of the 'Shijin
Tenchi Sho'), 'Dark Angel' (as the four Sword Saints).
Seiryu is the 'Blue Dragon of the East', and corresponds to
the Eastern Cardinal Point. Her name translates as 'holy
dragon'. In this story, Seiryu is female, though usually
the gender is indeterminate. The other three beasts are
Suzaku, Byakko, and Gembu.
4) Moeru - literally 'to burn'.
5) On why Seiryu is female here and the long delay in
finishing Chapter 10: I did have Chapter 10 nearly ready
several weeks ago, then Hearts of Ice Part 24 came out.
After thinking "Oh, wow!", I went "Ack! Rats!" - Krista had
preempted me with the old man/dragon shtick, and moreover,
had done it so brilliantly I had no chance of equalling
it. Oh well. ^_^ So I decided to scrub the latter half of
this chapter and rewrite it. Unfortunately, it proved more
difficult than I expected, but this is the final result of
some weeks worth of revision. Tell me what you think, and
oh, a little omake for the ending.
OMAKE THEATER
<My aid? _You_ would challenge me?!> Seiryu sounded
completely incredulous, which annoyed Ranma no end. <You
stand no chance at all.>
"No? Why don't we have a little match about it?"
<Very well.> Seiryu snorted. <I shall permit you your
manner of death, half-demon.> The Blue Dragon reared up,
serpentine body flowing quickly over stone. Despite her
similarity to depictions of Oriental dragons, Seiryu lacked
the vestigial quartet of claws common to them.
Gotcha! Ranma smirked confidently.
"All right! Ready?"
Ranma raised one hand into view.
<Whenever you choose-->
"JAN KEN POW!"
<--Wait! That is unfair!> protested Seiryu. <I lack hands!>