By the way folks, I could use some C&C here

------
Disclaimer: Aside from Rumiko Takahashi, the list of
people who have the rights to Ranma 1/2 escapes me at
the moment. However, I can tell you with absolute
certainty that it most definately does NOT include me.
------


Chapter 2


A shadow within a shadow, Sakura watched her quarry. 
She had noticed him skulking in the alley behind a
local ramen shop shortly after parting ways with
Saotome.  Normally, she would have moved on, leaving
him to his business, but with Ranma close by and still
in the throes of the birthing plauge she knew she
could take no chances.

When she had finally gotten close enough, the stench
of corruption that assaulted her senses had proven the
necesity of her caution, prompting her to follow him
to an abandoned warehouse just outside of Nerima.  Now
here she was, waiting for him to leave his lair once
more and allow her to investigate, she had been
observing this building for the better part of the day
when when she watched a limo pull up to the entrance
and leave with him inside.

Never once leaving the shadows, she made her way
silently to the rear of the building and after a
moment of concentration, leapt onto the roof. Crossing
over to a skylight, she examined the interior, finding
it empty, she let herself in with the aid of one of
many gadgets on her person and dropped to the floor in
a combat crouch. After assuring herslef that she truly
was alone, she began a detailed examination of the
buildings interior, searching for any clue as to her
quarry's identity and motives. 

Her only warning was the overwhelming sense of
corruption that had originally brought her here, as
something struck the back of her neck, freezing her in
place.

"Welcome to my Parlour, said the Spider to the Fly"

The voice was rich and melodic, and at the moment
lightly mocking.  Unable to move a muscle, she watched
with no small amount of  trepidation as a man in an
immaculate business suit walked into her line of
vision. He stood a good head taller than her,
appearing to be in his mid thirties, though his eyes
spoke of one who had been around much longer. He let
his eyes bore into hers for a moment as his lips
streched into a thin, cruel, smile, the tips of
elongated canines making themselves known.

"And who might you be, little one?  Ahh, thats right,
you cant talk right now, can you?  Oh well, who you
are, is less important than what you are, child. Do
you know what that is?"  He paused a moment to allow
her to consider  "What you are, my dear, is a light
snack, something to, shall we say...  take the edge
off as it were"

With that he grabbed her shoulders and bit into her
throat, his elongated canines easily tearing open her
jugular. With almost obscene sucking noises he guzzled
several mouthfulls of blood before stumbling back and
hitting his knees with a strangled yell, a look of
agony mixed with confusion on his face. 

The pain and shock of the attack released her from the
paralisys and she wasted no time in shifting to her
war form, that of a muscular humanoid rat. Willing her
sword into her hand, she lashed out at the creature
before her, severing the arm he held up to block.
Bringing her blade into position for a follow through
strike to the throat, she was caught compleatly off
guard by a kick to her abdomen that threw her halfway
across the room, into a wall of webbing that hadn't
been there a moment before.

"Cursed ratling!! Damn you, and damn your plague
tainted blood!"  Still retching slightly, he climbed
to his feet and fixed her with a venom laced glare.

Struggling in vain against the confining strands she
watched as the man walked over to his severed arm, and
touched it with his foot. She felt a cold hard lump
form in the pit of her stomach as the limb collapsed
into a mound of spiders which crawled onto the foot
and dissolved into it while his arm regrew, suit
sleeve and all. At that moment, Sakura knew for a fact
that she was dead, the beast before her would would
see to that without question.

"Kumo..." she snarled, the word distorted by her form

"Yes ratling. Kumo." As he approached her his features
seemed to melt "And you shall pay dearly for meddling
in my busssinesss.." His form had finally settled into
what looked like an arachnoid centaur, with a grossly
distended body and wickedly sharp claws that twiched
in anticipation.

It walked up to her and gently drew a line across her
chest with a claw, watching the blood well out of the
razor cut, noting also that the wound on her neck had
already healed over.  "Ssincse I can not feasst on
your juicsess, I sshall feasst on your sscreamss
insstead!" 

Sakura tried, she tried not to give the beast the
satisfaction, but everone has their limits, though her
screams went unanswered. And the end, when it finally
came with the following dawn, was marked by no one
save her killer, whose only regret was that she had
not lasted a little longer.
_________________________________________________________

Kuno ran, putting everything he had and more into
keeping Saotome in sight, and when he inevitably lost
him, he paused only long enough to question those who
might have seen him pass. All the while, he went over
plan after plan in his mind, trying desperately to
come up with a way of stopping what he had seen. 

Winded and footsore, Kuno finally found him, he had
wedged himself into a patch of dry dirt under a small
bridge near the edge of town. Oblivious to the world
around him, he stared at something Kuno couldnt see,
although he could guess as to what it might be. 

"Saotome."

Ranma shifted slightly, tucking whatever he had been
examining under his leg as he turned to address the
kendoist.

"Today aint the best day to mess with me Kuno, you
might not like what you get."

"Of that I am sure Saotome, any more than Hibiki
enjoyed 'what he got' as you put it."

Ranma's head dropped in shame "You saw it all then?"

"Aye, that I did, that and more."

Ranma's head lifted a fraction of an inch. "More?" 

There, the slightest pique of curiosity.  Kuno knew,
that there was no way he coud physically stop Saotome,
if the distraught teenager chose to end his own life. 
What he had to do, he realized, was focus the young
martial artists attention elsewhere.  Slowly, a plan
was begining to form in his mind, a way to convince
Ranma that his present course of action was unwise. 
It would work, but it would require revealing the
secrets of his family, revealing their second sight. 

Arctic winds were warmer than the kendoist's voice as
he spoke.  "The glass, Saotome, the one you intend to
slit your throat with, the one you are hiding under
your leg."

Ranma jerked as if slapped, he tensed as if to run,
then slumped back down.  Picking up the aforementioned
shard, he toyed with it, drawing it across his thumb
to check it's edge.  "Im not sure I really wanna know
how you knew about this Kuno, but honestly, why do you
care?  You've hated me since the day we met, why
should you care if I do this?"

Letting his voice warm a bit Kuno sighed before
continuing.  "I understand your reasons, Saotome, and
in your position I would be sorely tempted to do the
same.  If it were merely your life in question, I
would provide a clean dagger and act as your second if
you so desired...  Unfortunately, that is not the case
in this instance, your life is not the only one at
stake."

"What do you mean 'This is not the case'?! You saw
what happened!  You saw what I did to Ryouga, theres a
good chance that I killed him!  This is the only way I
can keep from hurting anyone else Kuno.  So why
shouldnt I?  Why!!"

Keeping his face compleatly passive against Ranma's
histerics, he allowed himself a small sigh of
frustration before answering. "I can give you no
definitive answer on that Saotome, I simply know what
I saw. Just as I saw you here, with your throat slit
and that piece of glass in your hand, just as I saw
how that sword got under the training hall.  I watched
it happen while you were digging for it" 

As Kuno went on to describe the scene he had
witnessed, Ranma's jaw dropped further and further,
the scene matched his memories perfectly, including
details that he himself had forgotten. By the time
Kuno had finished his narrative, the piece of glass
lay on the ground forgotten as Ranma climbed to his
feet. 

"How...?"

"My family has had the sight for generations, Saotome,
and has paid the price. My price you know well, he
calls himself the 'Blue Thunder' and is madly in love
with your female half."

"You know? When? How? But...?"

The look of consternation on Saotome's face almost
made the revealing of his secrets bearable, stifling a
small chuckle he continued. "I know, Saotome, He, does
not, nor will he ever I suppose"

Puzzlment was evident on Ranma's face as he eyed the
kendoist. "I dont get it... You act like he's someone
else, I mean, he's you...  Isn't he?"

"He is both Saotome, and neither as well. He comes and
goes as he pleases, as discomfiting as that can be at
times. I know not which is worse however, the days
when lies are all I know, or days like today, when all
I see is truth. And the truth that I saw today was
this, should you end your life here and now,
uncountable numbers of innocents shall perish as a
result"

"How?"

Kuno's contenance be came grave as he revealed his
vision. "I saw a rain of fire, destroying all in its
path, I heard their screams Saotome, it is not a
vision that I would care to experience again, though
doubtless it will live on in my nightmares.  I dont
know if your death causes it, or if by living you do
something prevent it, I simply know, that if you
perish, so shall we all." 

Ranma suddnly found himself sitting again, as his legs
gave out from under him in shock. It had seemed so
simple a few moments ago, one quick slash, and he
would never have to worry about huring anyone else...
But now that was no longer an option, if there were
_any_ chance whatsoever of Kuno's prediction becoming
reality, then there was no way he could risk it. 
Looking up at the for once sane kendoist, he knew that
he was going to have to live.

"What then Kuno, what can I do? You dont understand
what is happening to me, hell, I dont understand it.
All I know, is that there is so much anger in me, I
feel like I'm gonna blow, and the voices, God dammit,
the voices, they wont shut up!"

Kuno shook his head. "That, Saotome, is something that
you are going to have to solve for yourself. I have no
answers for you."

"Well what about Akane?" Ranma's voice showed mild
desperation. "She saw what happened, she saw what I
did to Ryouga..."

"Again," Kuno interrupted, "I know not. You would be
better advised to seek guidance from one more versed
in the arts mystical than myself...  Perhaps the crone
from the chineese restaurant may have some wisdom to
impart on this matter."

Ranma brightened up slightly at the suggestion. "I
suppose you're right, the old ghoul might have
something..."

His rumination was cut off as he _felt_ something
change in Kuno, he looked up to see the swordsman's
eyes start to gaze over as his posture became rigid.
Kuno suddenly looked at him as if for the first time,
as his lips curled into an imperious sneer. 'Aw
hell...' 

"So! The sorcerous dog Saotome has finally fallen
before me..." He drew his Bokken "Well, let it never
be said that the scion of House Kuno is less than
merciful... Your end shall be swift knave!"

Twisting on the ground, Ranma lashed out and planted
his left foot into Kunos gut before he could level a
blow, knocking the delusional swordsman into the side
of the bridge and rendering him unconcious.  'Damn! Of
all the times to space out... Well, that tears it, I
have no choice, but to go back and face the music.
Damn, I hope Ryouga's ok'

Arranging the fallen kendoist into a more comfortable
position for his impromptu nap, Ranma turned and
headed back to the scene of the fight.


Elsewhere...
Ichiro was annoyed.  Most of the day had been wasted
luring that girl into his trap, and she had turned out
to be nezumi... 'Damn that race!'  Of all the shifting
breeds, the rats were the only ones who's blood was
unpalatable.  His stomach protested slightly, as if
the memory itself hurt, and the worst part was, that
he had no one to blame but himself.  He had been so
eager to feast on her that he hadnt bothered tasting
the blood first.  Sure, breaking her overnight had
calmed him somewhat, but it had also distracted him
from his current task.  To make matters even worse,
healing the damage done to his system by the ratlings
blood had taken most of the following day, leaving him
dangerously weak and in need of nourishment.

Walking into an establisment near his quarry's he took
a seat and watched as the young cook skillfully worked
her trade, mixing batter and adding toppings at a
frantic rate. A girl in a kimono...  No, make that a
man masquerading as a girl in a kimono, came and took
his order.  He ate slowly, not really tasteing his
okonomiyaki as he waited for the rest of the patrons
to exit the store.

When closing time came around, he found himself alone
with the owner and her crossdressing waitress. 
Leaving money on the table, he headed for the door,
but instead of exiting, he locked it and flipped the
sign to 'closed'.  Turning, he faced the other
occupants, finding that they had armed themselves, one
with a sword, and the other, of all things, with a
bakers peel.  Letting himself dissolve into his war
form, he couldnt help but laugh at the horror that
etched itself plainly on their faces, as their weapons
dropped to the floor. 

Meanwhile...
The sun was on the verge of setting when Ranma arrived
at the dojo, and what he found there did not bode well
at all. His father was waiting for him outside the
gates, their packs at his feet and a severe expression
on his face. 

"Dont bother going in there boy, she's not there, and
you're not welcome...  For now anyway." Noting the
look of pain on his son's face he continued.  "I've
spoken with Soun, and we have agreed that it would be
best if you spent some time away from the Dojo...  At
least untill Akane calms down a bit" 

Ranma's shoulders slumped in defeat, he knew there was
no point in arguing. "Where... Where is she?"

Genma felt something inside him twist at the
expression on his child's face, but hardened his
resolve.  "She's at the hospital, waiting for the
results of Ryouga's surgery."  Seeing Ranma's look of
surprise he continued on before he could be
interrupted.  "Yes, he survived, barely, but he
survived.  If it had not been for Akane, you would
have torn his throat out...  Yes, I saw you Ranma, I
saw the whole thing, and frankly boy, Im dissapointed
in you." 

Stepping over to Ranma he delivered a stunning smack
to the back of the boy's head.  "Just _what_ the hell
was that?!  Have I not taught you better than that
BOY!  Twelve years of training and you lash out like a
common THUG!  The Art is about _discipline_ boy, it is
about _control_! How DARE you disgrace our family
Art?!" 

Ranma fell back, caught completly off guard by his
fathers reaction.  His current situation forgotten for
the moment, he tried vainly to get a word in, to
explain himself, to explain the rage.  He was so
flustered by his fathers assault that he could'nt even
get angry, all he could do was vainly try to compose
his thoughts and provide a response.

Genma was having nothing of it, he knew that this was
not the best idea, but his son _needed_ control, he
needed to be able to keep himself in check.  "You were
_angry_? What is this?! Who are you, Akane? Maybe your
girl side is going through that time of the month?! 
Where is the discipline I taught you boy? So you
turned into a rat?  _So What!!_ You turn into a girl
several times a day!! Thats no excuse!!"

With a snort of disgust, he stiff armed Ranma's pack
at him hard enough to knock him back a step. "We are
going to take advantage of this time boy, _you_ are
going to train, and you will _keep_ training untill
_I_ decide that you can control yourself. DO YOU
UNDERSTAND ME!!"

Still in shock, Ranma did the only thing he could, he
put on his pack and bowed to his father.  "Hai
Sensei!" 

That settled, father and son took one last look at
their home for the last 8 months, turned around and
walked away. 


At the Ucchan...
Ichiro dropped the husk that had once been Ukyo Kunoji
and let out a sigh of satisfaction. Turning to the
unconsious Konatsu he smiled.  Standing, he brought
Ukyo's image into his minds eye, studying every
detail. Then he collapsed into a mound of variable
sized spiders which reformed themselves into her
image, clothing and all.

Kneeling by Konatsu, he began to shake him, waiting
until the kunoichi awoke, then, staring deeply into
Konatsu's eyes, he pushed the boy's psyche with his
will, pushing untill it gave, forcing Konatsu to
literally see things his way. Chuckling softly to
himself, he watched as the emotions played across the
kunoichi's face, fear, anger, sadness, loss,
confusion, and finally adoration. "Ukyo... Sama..."
Yes, this one would make an adequate servant for now.

Later that evening, while cleaning up the Ucchan,
Konatsu was in heaven.  Ukyo, his Ukyo-sama had
confessed her love for him!  Dancing across the floor
in glee he recalled her loving eyes as she asked him
to tell anybody that asked that she was visiting
family for the moment.  She had told him that she
didnt want anybody coming between them...  Whats more,
she was trusting him with the store, even after the
fiasco of his last attempt...  She loved him!

His reflection was interrupted as he came across a
lethery oblong object that seemed to be filled with
sticks.  While he couldnt tell what it was, for some
reason it disturbed him greatly.  Before he could
focus to much on his find, the image of Ukyo-sama's
smiling face flared to life behind his eyes as he
stuffed the object into a trash bag and disposed of it
in the dumpster out back.  Returning inside, with the
object forgotten, he came across a palm sized spider
on the counter...  Looking down at it in adoration he
sighed.  "Ukyo-sama..."

Tbc.


For those of you who wonder about the Nezumi, this may
give you some insight:

http://members.tripod.com/wwta/Breeds/Ratkin/Tribes/Nezumi/nezumi_tribe.htm

Soul Survivor

Questions? Comments?
E-mail me at:

simkin@rocketmail.com

We are the equalizers, the Low Born, the ultimate
truth. When our Hakken brothers realize the need for
us again, they will come, and we will make a
killing...literally. 
-- TienBao, Nezumi Warrior

Hakken - Werewolf
Nezumi - Wererat
Kumo - Werespider

To all of you Ukyo fans out there:
Gomen, Gomen!!!
*kowtows repeatedly* 


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