Just a little something that I _may_ continue at some future point.

I'm being slowed down by an excess of reading material at the moment ^_^



Past Tense

  "I get him! He's a warrior!"

  Ranma felt vaguely confused.

  "I must respectfully deny your wish, you are not even part of the right
pantheon."

  He had a feeling that something was wrong ...

  "So?! What about the ecumenical reform of 2050?"

  Two women were arguing near him - nothing unusual there.

  "I think you'll find it's still 1984 down there."

  He wasn't hurt ... but he couldn't seem to bring himself to move or open
his eyes either.

  "Hah, it could be a century and it wouldn't matter - what's a few years
to an immortal?"

  He had a distinct feeling that he was forgetting something - something
rather important.

  "You're not even following your _own_ rules.  He died peacefully in a
bed."

  What _were_ they arguing about anyway?

  "He died in battle!"

  He was starting to follow the gist of the argument ... and he didn't
like the way it was sounding at all.

  "And what sort of a battle would you call that?"

  He risked opening one eye - and regretted it as he was immediately
dazzled with light.

  "A _metaphorical_ battle."

  He opened both eyes, just a little, and what he saw was - well he
couldn't say he was _expecting_ it.  But it seemed strangely appropriate
somehow - given _his_ luck anyway.

  "Now, ladies, I _do_ have a schedule to keep."

  The figure who had finally spoken was - well - Ranma desperately tried
to categorise as a 'humanoid feline' but the word 'C-C-CAT!' was stuck
firmly in his hind brain.

  "Fine, just entrust him to _my_ care.  He'd go mad with a 'handmaiden'
like _her_ anyway."

  This speaker, who Ranma thought was probably the first he had heard
since ... since whatever, was a tall, red haired, muscular and _very_ well
built woman.  Besides her a horse was contentedly nibbling ... something
from the ground.  Ranma wasn't sure what tradition had winged helmets,
bronze armour and large two-handed battle axes as its typical costume but
he had to admit it suited her.

  "He is quite clearly within my jurisdiction, as I'm sure you realise."

  The final party wore an elegant traditional kimono and in one hand she
held a single twig from a cherry tree, still bearing blossom.  In the
other a folded fan.  Her elegant and refined beauty only lent support to
the impression of hidden power.

  Ranma flinched, mentally, as the c-c-cat-man turned his attention
towards him.  "Well - what have we here?  I do believe he has gained
awareness."

  "Sugoi!*" Exclaimed the Japanese lady.

  "What power!" Admired the red head.

  [* - Amazing]

  Unable to move a muscle Ranma watched as the tiger-striped catman
extended impossibly long claws from his hand and ripped right through the
centre of his chest ... removing the last vestiges of his mortality.

  "Welcome, Ranma," the catman said quietly - as Ranma rose whole and
healthy to his feet. "Welcome to your afterlife."

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