Ranma 1/2

                           Anijza

                          Part One:

                  �As on Earth as in Hell�





                       Nicholas Stone








                 The Taking of Ranma Saotome


Saturday;

     Akane withdrew into Nabiki�s room for the rest of the
evening, not wanting to be around the person whom she knew
had something to do with her current predicament.  At the
desk, she began re-reading and reviewing every math note,
all of her books, and anything else she could find, laboring
long into the night until finally sleep overtook her.
     It wasn�t until Nabiki�s alarm went of that she awoke,
sitting up gasping sharply startled by the noise.  A blanket
slid down off her shoulders and in the bed lay her middle
sister still dead to the world.  Akane looked around at the
myriad of sprawled paper about the desk then smiled.  She
stood up and stretched the stiffness out of her limbs before
checking on the time.  The clock read eight o�clock.
     �I�m supposed to be at study hall,� she said to
herself.
     There was no sense of rushing now, Sensei Mukuro
certain to hold her extra for being late, so as quietly as
she could Akane tip-toed out Nabiki�s room towards her own.
A peek in found Anijza still asleep her tuff of red hair the
only thing protruding above the covers.  Tension knotted
Akane�s stomach but she stepped in and went over to the
dresser.  After a quick change into a fresh dress, Akane
quietly headed for the door.  Devious thoughts crossed her
mind, maybe an �accidental� slam of the door to wake this
arrogant girl, or just a kick on the bed to rouse her.
     What she really wanted to do was beat Anijza down into
a small pile of dust.  That wouldn�t be right though Akane
knew.  No, have to be cordial and proper to a foreign guest,
must not disturb our gratuitous image.
     �Have fun,� called a voice stopping Akane at the door.
She looked back and found Anijza peering sleepily out from
the sheets.  Noticing the hard stare, she yawned and sat up.
�I mean at school.  Study hard, okay?�
     Concern from Anijza.  Akane could not believe her ears.
�I� I will,� she answered.
     �Good.  Don�t worry about Ranma.  I�m going to take
care of him today.�
     Why you�!
     Akane�s teeth ground tight together behind her blank
expression forcing herself to open the door without a word,
leaving Anijza alone.  Images of Ranma and Anijza together
only brought more tension in her.  Anijza was not about to
get away with anything today, she thought as she rushed down
the stairs.
     The door to Ranma�s room stood partially open and she
peered inside.  It looked like the makings of a frat house
from a collage movie she�d seen; Ranma, Genma, Mousse, and
Ryoga lying strewn about snoring out of sync in their
slumbers.  Akane could not help but giggle at the sight, and
then remembered why she came there.
     A gentile tap on Mousse�s foot drew a short jerk from
him.
     �<ZzzGaggah!> (smack) (smack)�. uh, Shampoooo, why
won�t you forget him!�
     Akane giggled again, pulling hard on the leg of his
pajama pants.  Mousse groggily woke up and lifted his head.
He squinted his eyes drawing in a long yawn and short shake
of his head.  Finally, he recognized who it was.
     �Aka�.�
     She held a finger up to her lips silencing him.
Pointing to Ryoga, Akane motioned for him to join her out in
the hallway.  A few minutes passed before Mousse appeared
with Ryoga stumbling groggily behind him.  She led them away
from the guestroom out to the foyer.
     �I�ve got to go to study hall, Mousse,� she said.
     �You�re late,� he answered.  Akane�s threatening smirk
silenced him.
     �Listen, you and Ryoga have got to stay with Ranma
today no matter what.�
     �I know, but what about this afternoon.�
     �Should be no problem.  You�re going along with them
down to the chocolate shop.�
     Mousse stretched, rubbing his eyes for a moment.
�Yeah, but it�ll just be me.  What if she tries to take me
out of the picture, huh?�
     Akane rolled her eyes in disbelief.  �Will you listen
to yourself!  This is not a spy movie.  She won�t do
anything like that not while Ranma is around.�
     �I still don�t like being alone with her.�
     �That�s why Ryoga�s going along.�
     �Where am I going?� asked Ryoga as his mind finally
caught up with his surroundings.
     �With Mousse and Ranma down to the chocolate shop!�
     He smirked, rubbing the back of his head.  �Chocolate?
I�m allergic to chocolate, Akane.�
     �Then order something without it.  Ryoga, are you awake
yet?�
     Ryoga blinked and looked around.  �Gee, Akane.  Aren�t
you going to be late for school or something?�
     Throwing up her hands to the sky, Akane made a short
turn wondering how she could be leaving Ranma�s fate in
their hands.  Fortunately, Mousse was up to speed with her.
     �We�ll watch him, Akane,� he told her.
     �Thank you!�
     Akane glanced at the time noting how late it was
getting.  She picked up her backpack and opened the door.
�Oh and Mousse, call Shampoo and see if she�s heard from
Cologne yet.�
     �Right.�
     She left; Mousse and Ryoga watching her go.  Ryoga
tipped his head to one side and nudged Mousse on the arm.
     �Y�know the only reason I�m doing this is because Akane
asked me,� he said.  �Otherwise, I�d be more than happy to
see Ranma get taken away to Korea for a while.�
     �Tell me about it,� answered Mousse.  �That would be a
blessing from the gods if it were to happen.�  Arching a
brow, Mousse gazed up in the direction of the stairs letting
out a short grunt.  �Then again, I�ve also grown not to like
this Anijza Kwong too.  She just isn�t right.�
     Ryoga shrugged.  �I guess it�s a Vanilla Parfait then?�
he said.
     �And hopefully that�s all��

                          * * * * *

     The heaping mountain of ice cream in the bowl before
her brought an honest growl of hunger from Anijza�s stomach.
It had been a long time since she had the pleasure of
entreating rare a delicacy.  Bordered by a belt of long cut
banana slices and topped with whipped cream and nuts, her
hands trembled with anticipation.  However; Anijza forced
herself to postpone her indulgences, watching as Ranma
seated beside her stared out the pane window of the
chocolate shop in obvious disinterest.
     This was wrong, she thought.  Ranma should have been
amorously engrossed with her by now, but somehow he was not
even fazed by the tomes she set in the books he had read.
The sound of spoons clattering in now empty bowls came from
the opposite side of the table.  Mousse sat back rubbing his
belly thoroughly stuffed after eating his sundae.  Beside
him, Ryoga scooped up the last lumps of a vanilla-orange
sherbet twist humming with distinct pleasure with each bite.
     That is why; Anijza�s brows furrowing together annoyed
by their presence.  A sigh from Ranma made her recalculate
her assumption.  Akane Tendo, she lay at the root of her
difficulties, and because of her hold on Ranma�s heart plus
the interference from Mousse, somehow it had been enough to
weaken her spell over him.
     It was time to push her objective into a pact and leave
this forsaken plain.
     �Ranma-chan.  Is there something wrong?� asked Anijza,
inching closer to him.
     Ranma let out another sigh, nodding slightly.  �Akane,�
he answered, �I just can�t help but feel that I caused her
to fail that test and put her in the situation she�s in
now.�
     Ryoga paused in mid-bite and blinked rapidly in
disbelief.  �Ranma, you admit to doing wrong against Akane?�
he said.
     �Yeah, I am, Ryoga.  If I had been smart I would have
asked her to join in with my studies instead of fighting
with her.�
     Mousse eyed Anijza.  He arched a brow noting the change
of attitude in her, not fooled by the question.  �You really
didn�t do much more than read books,� he said.  �With my
help of course.�
     �And I thank you for that, Mousse,� snapped Ranma,
giving him a hard stare.  �But Akane would have benefited
too from the attention I received.�
     �So now she�s in student purgatory languishing beneath
the whip of your teacher,� said Ryoga.  �What are we going
to do about that?�
     These two must go.  Anijza inched up closer to Ranma.
She placed a hand gently on his arm and he turned.  The look
they traded was much more than normal and Ranma shuddered
for a minute.  He stammered a bit, swallowing hard as he
forced his attention away from her.
     So, my spell is in place.  The only thing hampering it
is Akane�s hold.  Well I will fix that!
     �You know, I was thinking about that,� continued Ranma.
�What say we go down and help her study?�
     �What!� said Anijza.
     Mousse laughed, humored by her response.  The way Ranma
looked at her foretold troubles in the works, and that
Anijza�s evil fingers were trying to wrench him away from
thoughts of Akane.
     �Sounds great,� he said.  Secretly, having Akane around
would strengthen their situation and maybe even drive Anijza
away.
     For Anijza, that meant Akane�s hold would certainly
break the spell lingering about Ranma.  No, Akane Tendo had
to be taken out of the picture if only for a few hours.  By
then, and if she could get him away from his intruding
friend, she would have his agreement and be back on their
way to her domain.
     �I like the idea,� added Ryoga.
     �But Ranma!  I thought we would talk about you coming
back home with me!� said Anijza.
     Mousse and Ryoga flinched slightly at the comment.
They traded looks then Ranma answered her.
     �Now, Anijza?  I don�t think this is the time for me to
be thinking about things like that?�
     Anijza curled up against his arm giving Ranma the
saddest look she could muster up.  �But I so want you to
come with me.�
     �Akane needs me right now, Anijza.�
     In a huff, Anijza pulled away.  She turned her back to
him and angrily crossed her arms.  �Akane, Akane, Akane!
What about me?�
     �A-A-Anijza, don�t you think you�re taking this a bit
to hard?� asked Mousse.
     She ignored the question, turning back around.  �I
helped you, Ranma!�
     �And I appreciate that, Anijza,� he replied.  �But
Akane is my� well she is close to me and I feel guilty about
everything that�s happened.�
     �So you want to just thrown away everything we�ve built
between us?�
     Ranma leaned back astonished by that remark.  He did
not want Anijza angry with him either, and what would his
father and Mister Saotome say if he insulted her and she
returned to Korea bitter and disgraced.  She sat with her
head bowed low sniffling on the brink of tears.
     Gently, Ranma took her hands in his.  �Anijza, I don�t
want you to cry, okay?�
     The sorrowed look she gave him made Mousse sneer.  �Oh
come on,� he said, �Ranma, you�re not going to fall for
this, are you?�
     A sharp kick from Ranma made him yelp in pain.
     �Anijza, if anything I�d still like you to do one thing
for me.�
     �And (sniff) (sniff) what�s that?�
     He leaned closer.  �Would you help Akane for me?�
     �She said she did not want her help, Ranma,� Ryoga
said, gaining a sharp kick from Anijza.
     The looks of sorrow disappeared, replaced by a bright
smile.  This was opportunity knocking and she quickly jumped
at the chance.
     �I will, but I want a definite answer from you first,
Ranma Saotome.�
     Ranma hesitated.  �If you will do this, then maybe I
will.�
     �Maybe?�
     Mousse pulled himself upright still grimacing from the
kick he received.  �Ranma!  Akane will not like this,� he
said.
     �I�m going to talk to her about it,� he replied.
     Anijza drew back.  She eyed him for a moment then
rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
     �Let me get this right.  You are willing to go with me
as long as Akane does not object?�
     Mousse shot to his feet, palms slamming down on the
table.  �Ranma, don�t you�.�
     This time it was Anijza who kicked him in the shin,
dropping Mousse into Ryoga before the later could add any
objections to the conversation.
     �Well?� drawled Anijza.
     Ranma could hear Akane and Ukyo�s warnings in his ears
again.  Korea� kidnapping?  It still sounded absurd, but she
really was pushing the issue.  An image of Akane set back
from the next class pushed away any doubts.
     �In light of things, I guess you could say something
like that.�
     Mousse and Ryoga froze and then slowly pulled
themselves back upright in their seats.  �Uh-oh,� muttered
Mousse gazing at Anijza.  She held a devious smile on her
lips, turned giving him a brief almost triumphant gaze then
picked the spoon up from her dish.
     �Ranma, why don�t you go back to the dojo and wait for
me there?� she said.
     �Home?  I thought we were going to go and help Akane?�
     She smiled, looking up.  �I think I can help Akane
better alone, don�t you agree?�
     Mousse did not like the sound of that.  �Uh, (ha-ha),
maybe we should all go down and help Akane, eh?�
     The sharp narrowing of Anijza�s eyes made Mousse press
back into the seat.
     �No, and Ranma needs to get back and be ready to
travel.�
     �I do?� asked Ranma.
     �Why wait?� questioned Ryoga.  Mousse slapped him
across the side of his head.
     �What are you saying?  Whose side are you on anyway?�
     Anijza calmly began to devour the parfait.  �After I
get done with Akane, she will not have any objections at
all, Ranma-chan.�
     �You think so?  She really has some objections to you
right now.�
     Anijza stopped, giggling for a moment.  �Oh I know so,�
she answered, flashing him a confident grin.  �Now you go
home, and take these two with you.�
     Ranma thought about it.  With a shrug he stood up.
�Come on, guys,� he said.
     Mousse pushed Ryoga out of the seat.  As he stood up,
he suddenly turned and leaned menacingly towards Anijza.
     �Don�t you do anything to her, Anijza,� he said.  �I
don�t know what you are up to, but you better not harm her
in anyway.�
     Anijza continued to eat the dessert, hearing Mousse�s
threat but playing it off as insignificant.  She had what
she wanted, and as Mousse stormed off Anijza stopped giving
them a smug look as they left.
     �Ah, Akane Tendo� this will be such fun��

                          * * * * *

     Outside, Mousse was livid with rage at Ranma for what
he did.  Ranma thought nothing of it, still not believing
that Anijza meant anyone harm or that she was trying to take
him away permanently.  The three rounded the corner and once
out of sight of the restaurant, Mousse grabbed Ranma by the
collar.
     �You idiot!� he shouted.  �How could you go and say
such a thing to Anijza!�
     �What�s gotten into you, Mousse?� answered Ranma,
swatting his hands away.  �I didn�t do anything wrong.�
     �You told Anijza you�d go back to her home,� Ryoga
said.
     �I said maybe, not yes.  What harm can that cause?�
     �Plenty!� snapped Mousse.  He grumbled something under
his breath looking around for a phone booth.  There was one
at the next corner and grabbing Ranma by one sleeve ran
towards it.
     �Gimme some money,� he said to Ranma.  A five-yen coin
was thrust into his hand and he went inside.
     The tone beeped for a few seconds, then the receiver
was picked up.  Shampoo�s voice answered and Mousse started
speaking before she could say anything.
     �Shampoo!  It�s me, Mousse.  Don�t say anything yet
just listen to me.  Ranma�s blown it, and now we�ve got to
get to Akane before Anijza does.  I don�t� what do you mean
let Akane go?  Cologne would not want that to happen and
you� oh she would, huh?  Well I�m not going to let it happen
and neither are you.  I�m taking Ranma back to the Tendo
Dojo, you get down to Furinkan High and� SO CLOSE THE DAMN
PLACE, WILL�YA!  Listen to me Shampoo, there might be lives
at stake here, so get over there and get Akane home before
it�s too late!  �What?  �.She did?  When she going to be
back?  This evening?  Oh that�s great; all we have to do now
is keep Ranma at the dojo until Akane talks to him.  So are
you going or not? �Thank you, Shampoo� huh? �.No I am not
going to tell Ranma that!  (Sheesh!)  We�ll see you two in
about twenty minutes.�
     Mousse slammed the receiver back into its cradle.
Outside, Ranma stood eyeing Mousse curiously after
witnessing his tirade on the phone.
     �A little trouble with Shampoo?� he asked him.
     Mousse smirked.  �Sort�a.  Let�s get back to the dojo.�

                          * * * * *

Fifth Floor Study Room, Furinkan High School;

     The words and pictures were starting to blur before
Akane�s eyes, eyes tired after a full morning of review and
re-review.  This was the third book she�d read and every
time it seemed to be the same thing running in her mind over
and over again.
     Ranma.
     Not the formulas and theorems she was supposed to be
memorizing, but thoughts of Ranma and was he still all
right.
     Being trapped in the study room, the only student
apparently on the campus, only made her anxiety grow worse.
If only to sneak away, leave early and run back home before
that witch Anijza made her move.  A quick phone call to find
out if Mousse, Ukyo and the others were there to guard and
protect him.
     Ranma needing protection, now there was something she�d
never thought would happen.  All the times past with her
under some form of duress, now he needed it and the worse
thing is that he wasn�t even aware of the danger at all.
     Unable to take anymore, Akane slammed the book shut.
�I can�t do this,� she said standing up.  Unconsciously, she
began pacing around the table muttering aimlessly to
herself.
     �If I leave now, Sensei Mukuro will certainly find out
that I left before the end of the day.  I just can�t sit
here and allow Ranma to be at the mercies of Anijza!  Maybe
lunch?  Maybe I can take an hour and go call home.  Yes,
that�s it!� no, no, I�m not supposed to leave this room.
What would happen if he decided to come down and check on
me?�
     Akane let out a moan, slipping back into her chair.
She rested her head on the table covering it with her arms.
     �Damn you, Anijza!  You better not touch him!�
     �Akane,� called a familiar voice form the door.  Akane
sat up with a start turning around to find Shampoo peeking
inside.  Still dressed in her waitress uniform, she waved as
she entered.
     �Shampoo!  What are you doing here?�
     Shampoo pulled out a chair and sat down.  �Mousse call
me.  Tell Shampoo I to close restaurant, come get you and
bring back to dojo.�
     �Me?  Why?�
     �Ranma do something he not supposed to.�
     Akane slammed a fist down.  �I knew it!� she shouted.
�Damn Anijza!  Damn her!�
     �Evil girl do something to Ranma.  Mousse sound so
upset.�
     �And that�s not good either.  Oh Ranma, what did you
do?�
     Shampoo shrugged.  �Mousse not say, but he think this
now mean life or death for you.�
     �Me?�
     The Amazon nodded.  �Evil girl apparently coming to
hurt Akane, so we go.�
     �I can�t leave now, Shampoo,� replied Akane.  �I�ve got
to stay until the end of the regular day and besides my
teacher is just down the hall.�
     �You mean sleeping man in faculty room?�
     That bit of news made Akane pause for a second.
�Figures,� she said, �but what if he wakes up?�
     �From sound of snoring, he not wake up until tomorrow.�
     Akane started shoving her books into her backpack.  �So
Anijza�s coming here to get me you say?� she asked while she
packed.
     Shampoo stood up and went over to the window.  �From
what Mousse say she is.  Evil girl not want you to�.�  She
stopped, peering down at the campus grounds.  A girl stood
at the end of the walkway, a girl dressed in a dark blue
sailor cadet uniform looking up at Shampoo.
     �Akane, what evil girl look like?� asked Shampoo.
     �About my height, red hair�.�
     �Wear sailor uniform?�
     Akane stopped packing.  �Yes� why?�
     �She here.�
     Like lightening, Akane rushed over to the window.
Anijza turned her gaze upon her.
     �What does she want?� said Akane.
     �Mousse say she want to hurt you.  Is challenge, no?�
     The dark stares remained locked between the two.
Anijza�s lips drew up into a light smile suddenly turning
away walking off across the grounds.
     �Where she go?� said Shampoo.
     �I don�t know, but we�re going after her.�
     �After her?�  Shampoo grabbed Akane by the arm before
she could head for the door.  �Silly Akane want to get
hurt?�
     Akane jerked free from her grasp.  �I�m not afraid of
her, Shampoo.  She�s been kicking my ass since she got here,
and now she�s literally thumbing her nose, daring me to try
and stop her.�
     A change Shampoo did not expect from her chief rival,
the Amazon arched a brow.  �Hm, you not girl to take lightly
after all,� she said.  A dark grim formed.  �Okay, Shampoo
with you.  We go kill evil Anijza girl.�
     �Maybe not kill, but close enough.�
     They bolted for the door�

                          * * * * *

     A mad scramble down the steps found Akane and Shampoo
quickly outside.  They ran down the walkway searching for
Anijza ready do her some serious harm.  �Where�d she go?�
said Akane looking around.  Shampoo spotted Anijza just
rounding the corner of the gymnasium, giving Akane a tug on
the arm.  Hot on the trail now, Akane led Shampoo in a dead
run hoping to catch Anijza before she got out of sight once
more.  It was not to be and as they came around the corner,
Anijza was nowhere around.
     The half open double doors became the obvious choice,
but Akane suddenly felt caution pulling at her nerves.
     �She�s playing with us,� she said.
     �That, or she want new basketball game against you,�
replied Shampoo.
     Tempting, but Akane did not think Anijza was here to
play one-on-one with her.  Carefully she opened the doors
and went in.
     The courts were empty, but a light shone from the
girl�s locker room, it�s door gently swinging back and
forth.  Akane and Shampoo traded knowing looks crossing the
courts to take up position on either side of the door.
Slowly, Shampoo pushed it open; Akane peering in through the
opening.  There was no sign of Anijza and she shrugged.
     �Evil girl is ghost,� whispered Shampoo.
     �No.  No she knows what she�s doing,� answered Akane.
�Watch our backs.�
     They entered the locker room and began a slow search
walking down the main aisle.
     �Where the hell could she have gone?� wondered Akane as
they looked around.
     �She here somewhere, and this good place to beat evil
girl down.  No one see.�
     Akane suppressed her giggles, flashing Shampoo a quick
smile, more than eager to do just that.  On to the next
aisle over the two went, but still there was no sign of
Anijza.  This locker room was large, thought Akane, but not
large enough for one girl to just completely vanish.
Something was not right here.
     The sudden grip on the back of her shirt made Akane
yelp in fright.  The next thing she knew she was being
forced to look at Shampoo, seconds after smacking face first
into hers.  They both cried out falling to the floor holding
their heads in agony.  A foot slammed into Akane�s stomach
and she doubled up trying to protect herself, but then
another firm grip took her by the neck and she was pulled
upright.
     Anijza held the two up for a moment giving them each a
contemptuous sneer.  She laughed and then rammed them both
head first into the nearby lockers with a loud crash.  There
was nothing the two could do; dazed from the blows as Anijza
repeated her actions until finally, Akane and Shampoo sagged
unconscious in her grasp.
     �As it has been said before,� said Anijza, letting them
fall to the floor.  �All too easy.�  She knelt lifting
Akane�s head up by the hair and stared at her battered face.
     �Now, Akane Tendo, I will put you out of the picture
for a while��

                          * * * * *

     When Ranma, Mousse and Ryoga arrived at the dojo they
found Ukyo, Kodachi, Konatsu, and Tatewaki there waiting
along with the rest of the Tendo clan.  Mousse updated Ukyo
on what happened at the chocolate shop, and she sat shaking
her head, every once in a while shooting Ranma stern looks.
He couldn�t understand why they were all so mad at him,
gazing at the ring of people that suddenly formed around
him.
     �What, What did I do?� he cried.  �I did not do
anything wrong!�
     �Ranma! You told Anijza you�d go back to her home,�
said Ukyo.
     �I said maybe, after I talked with Akane.�
     �That�s not how she�s taking it,� said Ryoga.
     �Will you guys stop worrying?  Grief, it�s not like
I�ve made a commitment to marry her or anything!�
     Soun and Genma looked up from their game curious about
all the concern the others were showing.
     �I don�t understand what all the commotion is all
about,� said Soun.  �Anijza is our guest and we should be
honored that she would like Ranma to travel to her
homeland.�
     �Daddy,� said Nabiki, �Anijza is not exactly the girl
you want taking Ranma home.�
     �Oh?  Why is this?�
     �We found out some things about her, Daddy,� explained
Kasumi, �things that are not exactly right.�
     �And you think she�s up to no good?� said Genma joining
into the conversation.
     �Yes!� shouted Ukyo.  �The bitch is after Ranma, and
she wants to make him a permanent part of her equation!�
     Soun and Genma stared at them.  Suddenly the two men
broke out into laughter, rolling about on the floor in
uncontrolled fits, clutching at their sides.  The others
could only watch them dumbfounded by their reaction.
     �Must be some weird sense of humor in your words,
Ukyo,� said Kodachi.
     Genma managed to come up on his knees.  �You should
hear yourselves,� he said, gasping for breath.  �Ranma
staying with Anijza in Korea?  This is so far fetched its
hilarious!�
     �Nabiki, Kasumi you really can�t expect us to believe
this, this, � story you all have dreamed up?�
     �It�s not a story, Mister Tendo,� said Mousse.  �She
talks to dogs, I�ve seen and heard her!�
     Ranma threw up his arms.  �Oh no, not that story
again,� he said.
     �I personally do not see either what is so wrong with
Saotome accompanying Anijza Kwong back to her homeland,�
said Tatewaki.
     A sharp smack to the head from Nabiki silenced him.
�Hush, slave!  You�re here to do my bidding, no kibitzing
allowed.  Now get back to rubbing my neck!�
     Ranma exited the ring of people around him, sitting
down at the table.  �You guys really have gone overboard
with all this jealousy,� he said.
     �It�s only because we�re concerned about you, Ranma,�
countered Ukyo.
     �But Ucchan, Anijza may have a hard crush on me, but I
doubt that she�d stoop so low and drag me off against my
will back to Korea.�
     �We don�t even know if it is Korea she came from,� said
Nabiki.
     �She�s right, Ranma,� added Kasumi.  �Her records are
nowhere to be found.  That is not a coincidence.�
     �Maybe,� replied Ranma.  �But you can�t rule out that
they just got misplaced.�
     Konatsu walked over and sat down next to him.  �Okay,
but how do you explain her driving Happosai away like she
did?�
     That Ranma had no answer for, and he could only shrug.
     �She�s not right, Ranma,� said Kodachi.
     �And for some reason she wants you,� finished Ukyo,
stabbing a finger at him.
     He thought, reflecting on Akane�s words again,
wondering if he should begin to take them seriously.
�There�s only one thing to do then,� he said.
     �What�s that?� asked Ryoga.
     �We confront Anijza and ask her why she�s really is
here.�
     �That�s not going to solve anything,� said Nabiki.
�All she�ll do is lie.�
     �Okay, then we�ll ask her to call her parents in Korea.
That should solve a lot of things.�
     �And you�re going to pay for that call, Ranma?� said
Soun.
     �If it will clear up all of the problems, then yes we
shall.�
     �We?� questioned Genma.
     Ranma ignored him.  �Okay?� he said to the others.
They could not argue with his reasoning, and to speak to her
parents would certainly resolve things.
     �Then it�s settled,� continued Ranma.  �Right after I
talk with Akane about going to Korea, we�ll talk to Anijza.�
     Ukyo drew in a sharp gasp.  �Akane!� she exclaimed.
�Mousse, you said something about Anijza going to see Akane
at school?�
     �Oh that�s not good,� said Kodachi.
     �Don�t worry,� replied Mousse.  �I called Shampoo and
told her to bring Akane back before Anijza got down there.
They should be here in a few minutes.�
     That was a relief.  Ukyo sat down again.  �Now if we
can only get Cologne here.�
     �Oh yeah I forgot,� said Mousse, �Cologne called
Shampoo and told her she�d be here this evening with
Happosai.�
     �Damn, now I�ve got to lock up my underwear again,�
said Kodachi.
     �Forget your underwear, Kodachi.  With Cologne coming
back we will surely get to the bottom of this little mystery
now,� said Nabiki.
     Ranma laughed, shaking his head.  �You guys just won�t
give up, will you?� he said.
     �In this situation, no,� answered Ukyo.
     He sighed.  �Well I still think you�re all
overreacting, but once Akane and Anijza return things will
be cleared up and everyone will be satisfied.�
     �Just like that, eh?� commented Ryoga.
     �Yeah, just like that.�
     �And you�re not worried about Akane?� asked Nabiki.
     �Why?  Anijza is going to help her and they�ll both
come back laughing and chatting like best friends.  You�ll
see.�

                          * * * * *

     SHRRREEEEIIIIEEEEEEKKKKK!!!!!!!
     A final tight pull affixed the last strip of gray duct
tape around the two helpless figures lying cocooned in the
stuff from their ankles to their mouths.  Anijza tossed the
depleted roll aside, standing triumphantly over Akane and
Shampoo admiring her work.
     The two could barely manage a squirm, bound and then
wrapped back-to-back, a rope looped around their waist
snaking up over a strong beam in the athletics equipment
room.  Their muffled screams of protest pleased Anijza and
she laughed at their plight.
     �Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah!  Ah, so the most difficult
and annoying Akane Tendo is finally at my mercy,� she said.
     Akane let out a moan, unable to look up, trying to
break free of the tape holding her immobile.  Anijza went
over to where the end of the rope hung down and with an
effortless pull she hoisted her two prisoners up until they
dangled mere inches from the floor.
     �You tried to stop me, Akane Tendo,� she said, tying
the end around a post.  �But you have failed and now I will
claim what is mine.�
     Akane�s hateful stare never wavered as Anijza
approached her again. Anijza made a quick check of her work
ensuring that there were no loose gaps, nothing that could
allow them even a remote chance of freeing themselves
anytime soon.  She chuckled evilly, watching as Akane tried
to squirm free.
     �You can�t escape, Akane.  I figure you two will not
die from hunger, and that someone will find you� in the next
few days!�
     Akane and Shampoo renewed their struggles; Anijza�s
head tipping back as she laughed aloud.  Waking around to
Shampoo, she arched a brow, leaning close up into the
Amazon�s face.
     �Nice meeting you again, Shampoo,� she said, letting
out a long purr.  Anijza rubbed the top of Shampoo�s head
gaining an immediate protest from her.  Anijza laughed,
stepping back.
     �Beat me down� puulleeazzzeee!�
     �MMMMM!  MMM MMM MMMMMM!�
     Ignoring Shampoo�s muffled grumbling, Anijza returned
to Akane.  She stared at her for a moment, and then suddenly
drew close embracing them.  Anijza�s head pressed up against
Akane�s letting out a long almost grief-stricken sigh.
     �Oh, Akane Tendo you are so, so lucky I cannot kill
you.  You just don�t know how much I want to do that,� she
whispered.  Anijza rubbed her cheek lovingly against hers.
�I realize that you love Ranma Saotome, but now hear me,
child.  Ranma belongs to me now.  Erase what thoughts you
have of him because you, and your friends will never, ever
see him again.�
     Akane�s terror filled eyes followed Anijza as she
backed away from them.  The girl took hold of the rope
again, untying the end from the post.  She pulled them up
until they dangled high above the floor, re-tying the rope
around a hook on the wall.  The two could not look down, but
they heard Anijza walk beneath them.
     �Do you understand, Akane?  Forget Ranma.  He is mine!�
     Anijza�s steps drifted over to the door, and with a
sharp click the room was cast into a dim gloom followed by
the locking of the door.
     �MMMANNNIIIAAAAAA!� came Akane�s desperate muted cry,
but her screams were futile.

                          * * * * *

     Ukyo eyed the clock, her mind wondering why it was
taking Akane and Shampoo so long to get back.  Unless Anijza
had gotten there and did something, they should have been
walking up the walkway right this very second.  She excused
herself from the gathering in the Tendo living room and
hurriedly went to the front door.  Her hopes were dashed, no
Akane Tendo or Shampoo.  The dark feeling inside her made
Ukyo�s imagination start running wild.
     Anijza?  I can�t see how she could do anything to Akane
physically, but she was an unusual creature and held hidden
talents that might be more than Akane could handle.  What
about Shampoo though.  Mousse said he sent her down there?
     She ruled out studying, those two were like oil and
water.  No way was Akane about to allow Anijza the
pleasantry of having her as a student.  Ukyo started pacing
wondering what to do now.  Sitting here might mean Akane�s
demise, it only made sense to send someone there to check on
her.
     But who?
     I can�t go, what if Anijza returns.  Mousse and Ryoga
would blow any attempt to keep Ranma from Anijza�s claws;
Nabiki and Kasumi� Ranma would unquestionably be doomed.
Kodachi and Tatewaki were formidable, but still if in light
of what she knew about Anijza right now.  No, there was only
one person she knew could be trusted to get down there and
have any chance against Anijza if it came down to a fight.
     Konatsu.
     Ukyo peered back into the living room.  A steady
conversation about Ranma and his recent good fortune was
currently in swing.  She spotted Konatsu sitting at the
table and made her way over to him.
     �No Akane,� guessed Ranma as she sat down.
     �Not yet, uh, did I miss anything?�
     �Not much,� replied Ryoga with a yawn.  �Ranma here was
just recounting how easy his math test seemed.�
     �Well it was!�
     Ukyo giggled.  �And you don�t find that unusual?
Sometimes Ranma I don�t understand you.�
     �What�s there to understand?� said Mousse.  �Ranma�s a
sucker for any pretty face.�
     Ranma started slightly.  �Oh, and like you�re not?�
     �Nope.  Shampoo�s the only pretty face for me.�
     They all broke out into laughter.  Out of view, Ukyo
reached over and tugged on Konatsu�s sleeve.  He cut his
eyes over at her and she gave him a subtle signal towards
the foyer.
     �Akane is sure late,� said Ukyo glancing down at her
watch.
     �She�s not due back for a few more hours, Ukyo,�
replied Ranma.
     �I thought Shampoo went down to get her?� asked Soun.
Ranma remembered then, nodding.
     �She could be doing some extra study with Anijza.�
     �Yeah, fat chance on that,� said Nabiki.
     Ukyo stood up again.  �I�m going to call and see what�s
holding her up.�
     Ranma never got time to call Ukyo back as she ran out
of the room.  Outside, Ukyo met up with Konatsu standing
patiently by the front door.  �You want me to go and check
on Akane, right?� he said as she approached.
     �You guessed it.  If Anijza went down there like Mousse
said, then she�s either done something to Akane and Shampoo,
or they�re actually putting in some study time.�
     �In either case, I will call you when�.�  Konatsu
stopped hearing the front gate open up.  They peeked out the
window spotting Anijza walking almost merrily across the
lawn towards the patio entrance of the Dojo.
     �She is alone,� commented Konatsu.�
     �Yeah.  Scratch that study bit.  I wonder what see did,
and what excuse she�s going to give.�
     Konatsu shrugged and opened the door.  �Let me know
when I get back,� he said.
     �Hurry, Konatsu.  Anijza�s not here just to play
around.  We�ll stall her as long as we can.�
     �Right.  Be careful.�
     He set out across the grounds, making sure that Anijza
did not see him as he departed.  Ukyo shut the door and
turned around heading back to the living room.  This was not
good by any means now it was only a matter of time before
all hell broke loose.  If Anijza has done something to Akane
and Shampoo, what�s to say that she can�t do it to them
either?
     There was no way that little squirrel would get Ranma,
not if she could help it.  Her mind set, Ukyo stormed back
to rejoin the others�

                          * * * * *

     For all of their huffing and struggles, the only thing
Akane and Shampoo managed to do was get themselves rocking
around still bound and helpless as before.  Akane seethed
with fury angered by the way she allowed Anijza to come and
jump them so easily.  A rookie mistake caused by blind
desire to confront Anijza in one last showdown, and now look
at them, hanging around like some fat carp while Ranma lie
exposed with no one to prevent him from being taken away.
     A short wriggle by Shampoo brought her attention back
to their current predicament.  She shifted her shoulders
trying to pull away some of the tape off her arms, but it
was no good.  Anijza did her job well, and even if she was
able to break free there still was the matter of having her
arms and legs bound plus the fact that they hung several
meters above the floor.
     Akane�s head began rocking involuntarily from side to
side as Shampoo went again into another tantrum.  It�s doing
us no good, Shampoo, thought Akane.  Shampoo�s violent
thrashings subsided leaving the Amazon breathing heavily for
breath.
     �MMFFFIITTHHIIITT!� she puffed aloud.
     Akane chuckled humored by her reaction.  While there
was a break between her partners thrashing Akane took stock
of the situation and tried to reason away out of it.  Okay,
so we�re taped together, hanging above the ground without
any real means of cutting ourselves free.  A brief strained
glance towards the work area identified several tools that
could be used to aid in their escape.
     Would be nice if we were on the floor, so that might be
our first objective.  Hm, I wonder how a spider would do it?
     �HUFFANNEEFFPH!�
     Akane made out Shampoo�s distorted calling of her name.
�HUMMRPH?�
     �HEEFPH MOFF MUOOPH MEPHS NOONMPH PHRUMPH PHAPHS!�
     Now I�m going to understand that, Shampoo, she thought.
Resuming her observation, Akane rolled her eyes up at the
ceiling and the rope suspending them in the air.  A way to
loosen that, it might be their only chance of getting out of
this trap.
     So how to do it?
     �HUFFANNEEFFPH!�
     Akane huffed thinking how stupid it was for Shampoo to
try talking with her mouth tapped shut.
     �HUMMRPH?�
     �PHRINPH OHPHFS HRUMPHING!�
     Not a syllable, thought Akane.  Her attention returned
to the rope.  That too seemed unattainable unless someone
stumbled along by pure luck and found them.  Her guess was
Monday, way too late to stop Anijza.
     �HUFFANNEEFFPH!�
     This girl just won�t quit!
      �HUMMRPH!�
     �MMMHHURRRPHMURUMPH!
     �PHMMURRUUFFPHSS PHURUMMPH MMMUHMMN!�
     �MMNNRROOOPH!�
     Apparently that was not what Shampoo wanted to hear and
she thrashed about again jerking them around.  Akane moaned
loudly as the Amazon raged, and then suddenly she felt a
short sharp jerk.  Shampoo stopped and Akane cut her eyes
around at their surroundings.
     Did we just drop down a bit, she thought?
     Looking back at the far wall Akane could see that
indeed they had dropped slightly down.  She strained her
eyes peering at the rope tied around the hook.  It had some
slack in it, part of the wraps distorted from the shift.
     Anijza screwed up, Akane�s hopes rising!  All of
Shampoo�s thrashing uncovered a flaw in Anijza�s little trap
and now they needed to exploit it.  A few concerted jolts
might make the rope come undone.  It would be a drop and
they might get injured in the process, but the effort was
well worth the chance.  Now too get Shampoo on the same
page.
     �MMAMPHOONPH!�
      �MRUMPH?�
     Oh Shampoo, don�t be mad at me now!  �MMAMPHOONPH!
MNPHSFPH MAPH MNOO MRRUNPH MIPHS MMNROPHFS!�
     �
     �
     �
     HMNPHFS?
     Come on!
     �PHNMM MNORPH!  PHMNMM MNPORPH!�
     �
     �
     �
     HMMMIMPH NOMM MMM!�
     Akane growled angrily, jerking sharply to her left
trying to turn Shampoo in her direction.  It was slow work
and when they were almost facing in the opposite direction,
Akane drew in a long breath jerking up as hard as she could.
The rope did not budge and Shampoo frowned letting out a
confused moan.  Akane turned her around some more and then
repeated her action.  This time the rope did slip slightly.
Shampoo felt it move looking over at then hook.
     �MMMMMMM!� she let out, finally catching on.
     Thank you, thought Akane with some relief.
     Akane wriggled her shoulders preparing for the next
jerk.  �MMRPHE?�
     �MMMHM, MMMHM!�
     Together, they jerked themselves up coming down with a
powerful tug on the rope.  It shuddered and the vibrations
played upon the length shaking it enough to allow more rope
to slip around the hook.  Shampoo let out a short squeal as
they dropped further down coming to an abrupt stop.  A short
fall, but nowhere near what Akane expected.  It was better
than nothing, Akane wriggling again to signal Shampoo she
was ready for another try.
     Another tug brought them further down and things were
starting to look good to them.  As they dangled twirling
slowly around while catching their breaths, Akane could see
that they were down low enough to see out the narrow windows
above the door.  Oh, if only someone would come by and see
us, she thought desperately.  Shampoo let out a short moan,
shifting to signal that she was ready for another try.
Akane breathed in and then they both jerked their bodies up
as hard as they could.
     Nothing happened, Akane cutting her eyes about
searching for even the slightest change.  A trickle of sweat
started working its way down her forehead, the loop of rope
holding them now jerked painfully tight around their waist,
but Akane was determined to try again.  She managed a brief
shift of her shoulders waiting for Shampoo�s response.  The
Amazon was strangely quiet.
     �MMAANPHOO?�
     �
     �
     �
     �HMMPH?�
     �MMANPHO, MOMPHNG MONNG?�
     �MMEEPHSS.�
     This wasn�t sounding good to Akane.  Suddenly, Shampoo
jerked to her left, slowly turning them around into their
original position.  As Akane caught site of the wall, her
heart literally sank into her stomach.  The coils of loose
rope had indeed slipped, but now instead of pulling free,
most of the slack became entangled forming a very large and
tight knot that effectively prevented the rope from slipping
further.  With their last remaining hopes dashed, Akane
could do only one thing.
     �MMFFFIITTHHIIITT!� she puffed, closing her eyes�

                          * * * * *

     �Leave now?�
     Anijza pressed up close to Ranma, a pleading look on
her face.
     �Yes, now,� she answered him in a apprehensive voice.
     Ranma leaned away from her, tugging on his collar.  The
rest of his family and friend gathered around the living
room watching the scene with various looks on their faces.
     �No, no, no, no, no,� said Ukyo, waving her hands
before her.  �Ranma�s not going anywhere with you, little
girl.�
     Anijza�s shoulders heaved as she drew in an angry
breath.  The dark look she shot Ukyo when she turned around
startled them.  Ukyo herself flinched; surprised by such an
expression and then it disappeared, Anijza turning to Ranma
once more.
     �But you promised!� she shouted.
     �I did not,� he replied.  �I said after I talked with
Akane, and I haven�t done that yet.�
     �That�s not what you meant!�
     Anijza�s fury made the others pause.  It was the
loudest they had heard her speak, and by the desperate look
she gave Ranma, their suspicions grew.  Ranma tried to calm
her down, backing away.
     �Now look, Anijza.  This crush of yours has got to end.
Besides, we�ve plenty of time before you have to go back to
Korea.  The school semester still has two months to go.�
     Anijza followed right along with him.  �No!  I�ve, I�ve
already made arrangements for us to leave today, and, and�.�
     �And what�s the rush,� asked Nabiki.
     She stopped spinning around.  Anijza caught the
anticipating looks coming from the others.  Their
interference had already caused to many delays, she sensed
that they were going to try and prevent Ranma from leaving
at all.  Anijza�s fury built up, jaw set tight as she glared
at Nabiki.
     �The trip is going to be long and I wanted to get an
early start,� she explained.
     �Korea?� said Ukyo.  �Hell, it�s almost a stones throw
from Japan.
     �Yes, and speaking about Korea, we�ve all grown quite
curious about certain things, Anijza Kwong,� continued
Nabiki.
     Soun hushed his daughter to silence.  �Forgive Nabiki�s
rudeness,� he said to Anijza, cut her a sharp glance.  �She
and the rest of Ranma�s friends hold this notion that you
are trying to kidnap Ranma.�
     �Oh really,� said Anijza.  She looked around and then
began to laugh, hiding her real emotions.
     Soun and Genma laughed with her.  �Silly, eh?� he said.
     Anijza paused from her chuckles.  �I kidnap Ranma-chan?
Is this why everyone is so angry with me?�
     Ranma sat down at the table.  �Yeah, they think you�re
trying to whisk me away to some unreachable hamlet in Korea
where I�ll never be found again.�
     They got the unreachable part right, thought Anijza.
�And here I am thinking I�ve done something to offend
everyone.�
     �You have,� commented Kodachi.
     �Mind yourself,� snapped Soun, cutting her off.  He
smiled again.  �Anijza, I do wonder about your affection
towards Ranma.  As it is known he is to wed Akane once they
graduate.�
     �So you say,� Ukyo muttered under a feigned cough.
     Anijza played on the opening.  �Well� I must admit I
have grown quite fond of Ranma.  I really want him to come
and meet my family.�
     �It�s your family we have questions about,� said
Kasumi.
     �My family?�
     Nabiki let out a sly chuckle.  �Yes, Anijza.  We were
wondering if you could do us the honor and call them.�
     �Call them?�
     �Yes, you know.  Like use the phone?� said Ukyo.
     Ooo, all of these bitches will pay dearly for their
meddling!
     �I, uhm, I do not know if they would be home right
now.�
     �You don�t even know your own families schedule?�
wondered Mousse.
     You I will personally pluck!
     �They work odd schedules.�
     Genma arched a brow, casting Soun a questioning look.
�Well can you call them anyway?  If Ranma is going to go
with you�.�
     �Hey, I haven�t agreed to anything yet!�
     ��I would like to speak with your father or mother and
make sure it will be okay with them.�
     �It will be okay, Mister Saotome!� said Anijza, but the
ensuing silence told her that they were not buying it.
Anijza clenched her teeth tight as she made her way to the
phone.  Everyone followed, gathering around as she took hold
of the receiver.  A brief moment of concentration altered
the workings of the appliance, and then she picked it up.
     Her fingers quickly punching in a number, the ring from
the other end distorted.  There came a click followed by a
low, deep chuckle.
     [So, you have to call upon me to assist you?] said the
voice of her master.
     Anijza feigned a smile.  �Hello, daddy!�
     [Ha, ha, ha, ha� daddy is it?  Okay, I�ll play along.
This proves to be interesting.]
     �I�m fine, daddy.  Everything is wonderful here in
Japan,� continued Anijza, �Uh, daddy, Mister Saotome would
like to speak to you concerning his son coming back with me
to stay for a while.�
     �Awhile?� inquired Ukyo.
     Ukyo�s questioning only increased the tension knotting
Anijza�s stomach.  She fought to hold back her shudders and
went on with the call.
     �What�s that, daddy?  You would not mind if Ranma-chan
comes to visit?  Yes, yes daddy, that is his name, Ranma.�
     Mousse smirked at her from behind, pulling one lower
eyelid down as he stuck out his tongue in a mock gag.
     [Put on this �Mister Saotome�.  Don�t want to sour his
mood by running up his phone bill.]
     Anijza pulled the phone away, muffling the dark
chortles with a hand.  She gestured towards Genma and he
came over.
     �Hello?�
     �Mister Saotome?�
     Genma felt a cold shudder crease his back at the sound
of Anijza�s father�s voice.  �Uh, yes, Mister Kwong.  I am
Genma Saotome, Ranma�s father, and I understand that Anijza
has extended an invitation for him to come and visit your
country.�
     �Yes, my �daughter�� such a unpredictable thing is she
not?�
     �I-I must say she is, sir.�
     �So, is there anything to stop your son from� leaving
your home?�
     �You approve?�
     �Of course.  We here in� I mean we are but a hospitable
culture, Mister Saotome.  It would honor us greatly if your
son came to stay with Anijza for a while.�
     Genma thought about the offer a moment.  What of the
engagement to Akane?  What will Soun say if Ranma does
indeed not come back?  He discarded his last thoughts,
realizing that his son was deeply in love with Akane and not
even hell or high water could keep them apart.  A small trip
away might even do them some good.  From what he has heard,
getting items such as wedding gifts and even a good suit are
cheap there.
     �If there is no objections on your part, then I will
allow Ranma to go if he wants.�
     �I will take good care of your son, Genma (heh, heh,
heh, heh).�
     That last laugh unsettled Genma, but he let it pass.
�We will call you soon with his decision.�
     �Excellent.  Can you put my daughter back on please?�
     Genma handed the receiver back to Anijza.
     �Yes, daddy?�
     [It is up to you now.  Hurry, this will be your last
chance.]
     �Okay, daddy.  Bye-bye!�
     She hung up and turned to the stunned people around
her.  They all stood staring at Genma like the roof had just
caved in on them.
     �What?� asked Genma.
     �I did not agree to go to Korea,� said Ranma.
     �But you said�,� began Anijza.
     �I said after I talked with Akane.�
     Ukyo was right up on Genma, fury in her eyes.  �We
didn�t get to hear this �Mister Kwong�!� she shouted at him.
     �And we never got a chance to ask him about Anijza�s
school records either,� added Nabiki.
     �What�s wrong with my records?� asked Anijza, clearly
at the end of her tether now.
     Ranma interceded before an argument broke out, grabbing
Anijza and ushering her back into the living room.
     �There�s no need to fight,� he said, setting her down
at the table.  �Listen, Anijza.  I made a promise to Akane
that I�d speak with her about anything that concerned you
and I.�
     Anijza crossed her arms.  �Humph, I know,� she replied.
     �So you can�.�  Ranma paused in mid-sentence.  �You
knew about that?�
     Oops, thought Anijza.
     �Ah, yes, uhm� Akane told me.�
     �She did?  When?�
     Yeah, when did she tell you that?� asked Ukyo.
     Anijza remained silent, unable to answer.  Her lack of
response sent suspicion trough Ranma�s mind.  He knelt
beside her, taking the girl gently by the shoulders and
turned her around towards him. For a moment Anijza thought
she might need to strike then, but Ranma provided a way out.
     �Did something happen between you and Akane down at the
school?�
     A false pout and hurt look appeared.  Anijza sniffled
lightly.
     �She, she� she was rude to me, Ranma-chan!� she cried
embracing him.
     �You unhand Ranma this instant!� cried Kodachi.  She
was barely kept from lunging at them by Ryoga and Tatewaki.
     Ranma pushed Anijza gently back from him.  �What did
she do?�
     �She did not want my help!  She told me to go away and
leave her alone!�
     �That stubborn woman!� shouted Ranma.  �Why can�t Akane
get over that bullheadedness of hers and admit she�s not
perfect?�
     Ukyo, nor Nabiki and Mousse, were buying none of
Anijza�s tale.  �Ranma!� she shouted coming to the table.
�You don�t believe what she just said?�
     �It does sound unlike my fair Akane,� added Tatewaki.
     �With the things you guys have been thinking, and her
jealousy, I would not put it past her.�
     �We�re trying to look out for you, buster!� snapped
Ryoga.  �If Akane thinks something is wrong with Anijza, you
might want to listen to her.�
     �I did, and like all of your theories, they sound far
fetched.�
     Ukyo dropped to her knees, letting out a sigh as she
hung her head.  �Ranma, this is getting us nowhere.�
     �You are right, Ukyo,� said Soun.  �And I want everyone
to stop picking on Anijza right now.�
     �Picking on her?� said Nabiki.
     �You haven�t seen picking on yet,� growled Kodachi.
     Anijza maintained her charade, pressing fearfully
against Ranma again.  This time he did not object, feeling
guilty for doubting her after what she did for him.  �We�ve
proved beyond doubt that Anijza is from Korea.  Now why
can�t you all accept that?�
     �Because I don�t trust her!� snapped Ukyo, looking
sharply up at them.
     �Any girl who talks to dogs has got to have something
wrong with them too,� said Mousse.  A silence followed,
everyone giving him a skeptical smirk.  �Well she does!� he
cried.
     �Enough of this foolishness,� continued Soun.  �Genma
sees no problems with Ranma going to Korea, and as for you
girls and your mistrust of my guest, please be so kind and
keep it to yourselves.�
     �I don�t trust her, daddy,� Kasumi said.
     �Neither do I,� added Nabiki.
     Kasumi objecting to anyone made Soun think.  He cast a
wary gaze in Anijza�s direction before responding to her
remark.  �We still are the host here, Kasumi.  Do you wish
to disgrace us too?�
     �No, daddy.�
     That said, Soun sat back down at the Go table; Genma
retaking his seat signaling the topic was at an end.
     �So we can go now, Ranma-chan?� asked Anijza, pleased
that things had finally appeared to go her way.
     Ranma shook his head.  �Akane,� he replied.
     Even out of the way, that little toad was disrupting
her plans!  Anijza wanted to take Ranma then and now, but
that meant reviling her true colors, something against all
the rules she had to abide by.  This would take careful
timing, one quick moment alone with him and it would be all
over.  If only there was a way to remove his friends.
     �If we�re going to wait for Akane�s return, why don�t
we go and find a place where we can be alone?�
     Ranma swallowed the lump in his throat, inching
slightly away.  �Uh, why?�
     �I have something I want to share with you.  Something
special.�
     Ukyo�s firm grip on an arm pulled Anijza around.  �Not
a chance, Anijza,� she said, seething with fury.  �No little
squirrelly bi�.�
     �Ukyo,� said Soun firmly.
     She stopped and then let Anijza go taking a seat beside
her.  �We wait for Akane here, and if you have anything to
share with Ranma, you can share it with us too.�
     Anijza leaned back, one eye twitching slightly as she
stared at Ukyo.  �Hmm, that might not be such a bad idea,�
she said.
     Rules be damned!
     �What�s that supposed to mean?� asked Mousse.
     Anijza did not answer him, cooing up against Ranma once
more.  �Ranma-chan, my throat is dry.  Could you be a
darling and get me a glass of water?�
     The way she said that sounded odd to Ranma, but he
complied with the request getting up and headed for the
kitchen.  As the door slid shut behind him, Anijza stood up
walking to the center of the room.  Her eyes made a slow
circuit around the room, face turned down into the darkest
glower of hate any of them had ever seen.
     Anijza�s fingers flexed, cracking loudly as she balled
them up into tight fist.  With a short shake, the ribbons
holding up her hair fell away allowing the long locks to
drop about her shoulders.  Ukyo slowly stood up as the
others stared at Anijza in surprise.
     �Uh, Anijza?� said Mousse, but he went quiet as the
girl raised her fist.  There came a brief flash then they
began to glow a brilliant light blue.
     �I have grown quite tired of all of your
interferences,� said Anijza.  �It is time to eliminate it��

                          * * * * *

     Konatsu arrived at the vacant grounds of Furinkan High
School quickly rushing over to the main building in search
of Akane and Shampoo.  He ran through the halls of the first
floor but turned up nothing, sprinting up the stairs to the
second floor.  Again, his search proved empty, Konatsu
pausing to think.  Akane had to be there, he thought looking
up and down the hallway.  Dark images filled Konatsu�s mind,
sensing that something bad befell Akane and Shampoo.
     Another search on the third and fourth floor ended like
the first, but when he came out onto the fifth he found one
of the teachers in the faculty lounge asleep in a chair.
Carefully, Konatsu stole up next to the man shaking him
lightly.  Nothing, that was strange.  Another firmer shake
could not bring the teacher around.
     �Sir?� called Konatsu.  He might have been drugged,
thought Konatsu.  There appeared to be no evidence of foul
play.  With no time to waste, Konatsu continued on down the
hallway.  He reached the study room five and looked in.  On
one of the tables lay a backpack half filled with books; the
rest stacked apparently intending to be put away as well.
     Upon closer examination, Konatsu could see a majority
of them were math study guides and books, and he knew he
found where Akane should have been.
     But where was she now?
     it did not look like there was, but for Akane to just
up and leave her books behind told him she was in some kind
of hurry.  And what of Shampoo?
     Konatsu reflected on the situation.  �Let�s see.
Anijza came back to the dojo alone.  Akane and quite
possibly Shampoo were gone, but definitely not at the dojo
at least as far as I know.�  He looked around the room
again.  �Hm.  I think I better have a look around the school
grounds, and then find a phone and call Ukyo to see if they
returned.�
     The dark images came to Konatsu�s mind again, and he
rushed out continuing his search�

                          * * * * *

     With their cocoon-like prison showing no signs of
weakening, Akane and Shampoo settled in for the long wait of
rescue.  As they dangled in the air Akane tried hard not to
cry, but she could only feel sick to her stomach realizing
that Anijza was going to take Ranma away from her quite
possibly forever.
     She prayed that somehow Ukyo and the rest of her family
and friends would be able to prevent the kidnapping, and
even drive this strange girl out of the dojo and their
lives.  Sadly, she knew that was not to be the case.  By the
way Anijza had subdued them, this was no ordinary girl, and
even with all of their combined skills it might not be
enough.
     Cologne, Akane though, wishing and hoping the elderly
sage could hear her desperate pleas and return with answers
or away to defeat Anijza once and for all.
     Shampoo shifted, squirming as she tried for the
umpteenth time to wriggle free of the constricting tape that
bound them together.  Akane had to admire the Amazon�s
determination, but clearly all it did was cause this rope
around them to tighten even further.  It was already
beginning to hurt, Akane letting out a light moan for her to
stop.
     She did, and they slowly twirled above the floor
marking the time as the afternoon sun�s rays started to go
dim.  At least they could see outside, Akane staring
lifelessly out the windows above the door.  Something
suddenly moved off in the direction of the main grounds, a
figure faint and blurred but she could see that it was a
person walking along the sidewalk.
     Immediately her hopes rose.  This was a chance to get
out of their predicament, but now the only problem was
getting whoever was outside attention before they passed by.
     �MMMM, MMMM!� sounded Akane, jerking her body around
desperately searching for something that could make a loud
noise.
     Shampoo wondered what her chief rival was doing as they
turned.  She caught sight of the person outside and began to
moan as loud as she could to call them over.  It was no
good, the figure disappearing around the corner of one
building for a moment.  Meanwhile, Akane spotted a tall
storage cabinet a short distance away, its shelves stocked
with various tools and items.  If they could manage to knock
it over, or even some of the things onto the floor the noise
might just draw the stranger�s attention.
     It was worth the effort and Akane jerked to one side
then the other rocking them around.  Shampoo did not know
what she was doing until she was spun around, and then
joined in with the effort.  Soon, they were careening about
in the air steadily swinging closer and closer to the
cabinet.  Akane managed a brief look outside, panicking when
she did not see the person at first, relieved as a figure
reappeared heading back up the sidewalk.
     No, she thought!  This way, this way!
     Pain shot through her feet as they finally hit the top
of the cabinet.  Akane let out a muffled cry but ignored it
repeating the action again.  One of the trays lurched from
the blow jumping up to the edge with a loud smack.  The
stranger walking up the sidewalk did not stop Shampoo could
see and she jerked as hard as she could slamming them into
the cabinet.
     SMASH!
     The tray slammed to the floor spilling its contents
about.
     It was Akane�s turn to look out the window.  She could
see the person outside standing motionless looking around,
but then walked off to the left back to the main buildings.
     Damn it, she thought, continuing to rock back and
forth.  Another kick sent several more trays crashing down.
There followed a tense silence as the two paused to see if
their efforts had been all for nothing.  Shampoo could not
see the person anymore letting out a sad whine of despair.
Akane too moaned, unable to hold back her tears crying
freely now.
     A jiggle was heard coming from the door, someone
testing the knob to see if it was locked.  Akane and Shampoo
quickly let out with desperate moans for help.  The jiggling
stopped and it was quiet once more.  The tension built, both
girls wondering if their pleas had been heard. Akane�s
breath became rapid as she listened for even the slightest
sound of movement.
     Please, please don�t go.  Help us!  Please help us!
     Her prayers were answered by the sound of a blade
sliding along the crack of the doorjamb.  The latch popped
aside and the door slowly opened.
     Konatsu slid his knife back into its sheath staring
around at the mess on the floor.  He looked up and let out a
gasp, starting sharply when he saw Akane and Shampoo
dangling from the rafters above.  Their muffled cries broke
him from his shock.
     �Hang on, girls!� he said, �I�ll have you down in a
moment��

                          * * * * *

     Rumbles shook though the kitchen of the Dojo, Ranma
dropping the glass of water in his hand as he tumbled to the
floor.  �Earthquake,� he shouted, groping for anything solid
to hang on to.  His concern turned to the safety of his
family and friends crawling steadily towards the door as the
shakes and jolting continued.  He could hear cries coming
from the living room, strange flashes of blue-white light
arching through the cracks and seams of the door way.
Suddenly it stopped and Ranma jumped to his feet.
     He burst into the living room calling to everyone
hoping that they were all right, skidding to an abrupt stop
at the sight before him.  Everyone lay scattered about the
room some draped across or under furniture, others face down
unconscious.  What held Ranma transfixed in terror though
was the sight of Anijza hovering up in the air enshrouded in
that same bluish-white glow.
     Sensing his presence, she turned towards him.  Gone
were the timid shy features of a young teenaged girl, she
appeared more mature and her hair writhed in the air as if
it had a life of its own.  A smile appeared and Ranma took a
hesitant step back.
     �So, Ranma.  Are you ready to go now?� said Anijza, her
voice slightly lower than before.
     He looked around the room still shocked by what he saw.
�What, what have you done to them?� he finally managed to
say.
     �Hmm.  I grew tired of their interference.  Not
supposed to do something like this, but how is it said here�
oh yes, they were cramping my style.�
     Ranma gazed around the room again.  �Who are you?�
     Anijza laughed.  She hovered back down to the floor
walking towards him.  �Silly boy.  I�m Anijza; your soon to
be new fianc�.�
     �You�re not Anijza!� shouted Ranma, backing away from
her.
     She stopped, casting a humored gaze on him.  Anijza�s
high-pitched voice briefly returned.  �Yes I am, Ranma-chan,
and I�m here to take you back home with me.�  The smile
faded, brows furrowing close together.  �So stop playing and
let us go.�
     Akane was right!  Ranma continued backing away from
Anijza feeling behind him for the door.  �I�m not going
anywhere with you, Anijza!�
     Anijza followed along closing the distance between
them.  �Oh yes you are, Ranma Saotome.  I have you word that
you would accompany me back to my home.�
     �I did not agree to go with you anywhere!�
     �Not until after you�ve spoken with Akane.�  She waved
a scolding finger at him.  �Tch, tch, tch, tch.  We both
know pretty much what she would say.  I can�t be having
that.�
     �So you did something to Akane!�
     �I did manage to hamper her immediate return.�
     Anijza stopped, rubbing her chin as she pondered her
actions for a second.  �To bad, I really despise her too.
I�m going to catch some heat for what I�ve done, but I hate
rules and what are rules for if you can�t bend them a
little?�
     Ranma�s back pressed up against the door.  �Why me,
Anijza?� he asked.
     �Because, Ranma.  I�ve long since desired you ever
since our first meeting, but enough trivial conversation.
We�ll have plenty of time for that.�  Anijza held out a
hand.  �Come, Ranma Saotome.�
     Ranma shook his head.  �I�m not going anywhere with
you, Anijza,� he told her again.
     Brief hits of anger coursed though Anijza.  She sneered
slightly at him then repeated her demand.  �Don�t make me
have to take you by force, Ranma!�
     A fight in the dojo was not what Ranma desired, nor did
he want to fight Anijza even if she was the cause of all
that had happened.  She had to be led away before any more
harm came to the others lying around the room.  The back of
his foot kicked the door aside; Anijza pursing her lips
tight.
     �Ranma,� she said threateningly.
     �I�m not going with you, Anijza,� he replied and dashed
through the kitchen for the back door.
     �Ranma Saotome, don�t you run from me� RANMA!�
     Ranma lit out through the back door and across the
yard, a chill filling him as Anijza�s angry shriek pierce
the sky�

                          * * * * *

     It took Konatsu several long and painful minutes to
free Akane and Shampoo from their bonds, updating them on
Anijza�s return as he worked.  Finally freed of the tape,
the trio wasted not a second running as fast as they could
back through the streets of Nerima township to the dojo.
     Pausing to catch their breaths at the gates, Akane
thrust them open hurrying up the walkway and into her home.
     �Daddy!  Nabiki, Kasumi, Ranma!� she called rushing
through the hallway.  They burst into the living room and
came to a stop staring around at the unconscious figures
strewn about.  �Kasumi!� cried Akane running over to her
elder sister�s side.  She cradled her up in her arms, gently
patting her cheeks trying to revive her.
     Meanwhile, Shampoo had gone to Mousse�s aid while
Konatsu pulled Ukyo from beneath the overturned table.  He
sat her up shaking her gently, calling her name.  She let
out a low murmur and moved weakly in his arms.
     �Ukyo.  Ukyo wake up!�
     She moaned again, suddenly jerking sharply arms
flailing madly about.  �AH, AH, AHHHH!  GET IT AWAY FROM ME,
GET IT AWAY FROM ME!� screamed Ukyo.
     Konatsu pulled them down, holding her tight to him.
SUkyo, come out of it.  It�s me, Konatsu!�
     Ukyo�s eyes snapped open, darting about in their
sockets.  A crazed look appeared briefly then Ukyo shuddered
looking up at him.
     �K-K-Konatsu?�
     �Yes, it�s me, Ukyo.�
     She shook again and then drew in a gasp.  �Oh my gosh!�
Ukyo said, sitting straight up, �Ranma, Ranma where is he?�
     �We�re hoping you could tell us,� said Akane.
     Mousse moaned, rubbing the side of his head in pain.
�Ooo� what did that bitch hit me with?� he said as he sat
up.
     �Evil girl beat you all?� asked Shampoo.
     �Told you she was strange,� he answered.
     Ukyo sprang to her feet, staggering from sudden rush of
blood to her head.  �Hold on, Ukyo,� said Konatsu, catching
her before she could fall.  �I think you need to rest a
moment before trying to move.�
     She pushed his arms aside going to her knees.  �We�ve
got to� we�ve got to find Ranma.�
     Kasumi had finally come around; Akane sitting her up
against the wall then going to see if Soun and Genma were
all right.  She found Soun crumpled in the corner with Genma
over him, both men covered with pebbles from their game of
Go.  �Daddy,� she said fearfully, separating them.  Soun
groaned, slowly opening his eyes.
     �Akane?� he said, and then clenched them shut as a
spasm of pain shot through his head.
     �Lie still, Daddy,� said Akane.  She could see Genma
was okay, rubbing his head as he tried to recover his wits.
�Shampoo, Konatsu, how are the others doing?�
     �Tatewaki and Nabiki are sunning themselves on the
patio,� replied Konatsu, pointing to the large hole torn
through the sliding doors.
     �Evil Kuno all right,� said Shampoo, pulling a dazed
Kodachi out from the far wall.
     Akane looked around again.  �Where�s Ryoga?� she asked
only to be answered by a shift from the tipped over dish
cabinet lying on the floor.  Ryoga pushed it off his back
and sat up with a grunt.
     �I�m here, alive, don�t know how, but alive,� he said.
     None of them appeared to be critically hurt and Akane
let out a sigh of relief.  �So what happened and where is
Ranma?� she finally asked.
     �That bitch Anijza sent him into the kitchen, and when
he was gone she struck,� growled Ukyo.
     �No!� exclaimed Akane.  �Did she take him away?�
     �We were out cold before we could do anything, Akane,�
said Kasumi.
     Akane was frantic, jumping to her feet.  �I�m going
search upstairs,� she said, but Konatsu�s firm grip stopped
her.
     �I do not think they are here,� he told her.
     �We�ve got to look for them,� she replied.
     �I�ll tell you this,� said Genma, �After what Anijza
has done, Ranma is definitely not going to Korea with her.�
     �For the last time, she�s not from Korea!� Ukyo
shouted.
     �Wherever she from, she have Ranma!� said Shampoo.
     Ryoga disagreed.  �Ranma�s not going to let Anijza take
him (Ow, Ow) anywhere.  Not before talking to Akane first.
You heard him.�
     �Oh, he said that?� asked Akane.
     �Put the admiration aside,� said Ukyo, �Ranma�s still
gone, and we have no idea where either of them went to.�
     �Then we�ve got to search the city,� decided Akane.
     �No time to waste,� said Ryoga, standing up.  �It�s
going to be hard enough not knowing where to begin.�
     �I can help with some of that,� said Mousse.  He headed
for the patio and the pond outside.  �You guys get Nabiki
and Tatewaki back around, I�ll take a quick dip and get
airborne.  With some luck I�ll spot him or Anijza.�
     �Luck?  Be more like miracle,� said Shampoo with a
laugh.
     Mousse undid the buttons of his robe letting it fall as
he stepped out onto the patio.  Akane took hold of his arm
and he stopped, looking back.  The desperate stare she gave
him said more than words. Mousse smiled patting her hand
gently.
     �We�ll find him, Akane,� he told her.  �And we�re going
to kick Anijza�s ass too.�
     �I just want Ranma back,� she replied.
     �I don�t think he�ll have any trouble staying out of
her grip.  Don�t worry, Ranma will run rings around her.�

                          * * * * *

     Ranma�s legs pumped rapidly as he ran down the main
street through Furinkan trying to stay out of Anijza�s
clutches.  Every so often he would look back to find her
still hot on his trail a short distance behind and showing
no sign of giving up.  Persistent, he had to admit, but
determined as she was he would not allow her to get him.
     A quick turn down a street, Ranma sprang up through the
air onto the rooftops hoping Anijza would loose him, or at
best not be able to follow.
     �RAAANNNMMAAAAA!� he could hear her angry cry.  Anijza
had not lost him and was pursuing nimbly along unhindered by
the move.  Damn it, thought Ranma picking up his pace, what
will it take to shake this strange girl?
     Anijza growled, furious by this delay Ranma caused her.
Doesn�t he know that it is futile?  Surely, the Master will
delight upon my return, but he will also be annoyed for all
the wasted time spent here on this plain.  Thoughts of her
and Ranma together at last drove away any fears, imagining
them both in heated moments of passion more than worth all
the difficulties she had endured.
     �Ranma, you will not escape me!� she cried, leaping
thought the air.
     Ranma just bounded across to the next building when
Anijza came down hitting him with a firm body tackle around
the waist.  They tumbled across the roof, arms and legs
flailing as they tussled.
     �Will you stop fighting me!� shouted Anijza.  A hand
took hold of Ranma by the collar of his shirt, closing tight
cutting off his breath.
     She is strong, thought Ranma fighting to break free.
He rolled levering the girl over him pulling back leaving a
good fist full of cloth behind.  �NO!� cried Anijza; but
Ranma did not stop, sprinting for the other end of the roof.
     He leaped across then cried out in surprise as Anijza
hit him in the back.  They slammed down onto the next roof,
bouncing to a stop in the center.  Anijza sat astride
Ranma�s chest glaring angrily down at him.
     �Now will you stop running?� she said.
     �Not a chance!� shouted Ranma defiantly.  He pitched
his body up catching Anijza off guard and she sailed through
the air.  Ranma look around hearing Anijza�s cry as she
flipped over the edge of the roof towards the street below.
     Compassion and concern suddenly filled him.  He did not
want to hurt her; running over to see if she was still
alive.  Down below several passers-by stood staring up in
his direction staring at the figure clinging with no visible
support against the side of the building.  Ranma�s jaw
dropped open, and then Anijza looked up.
     �You did not think it would be so easy, did you Ranma-
chan?� she said.
     Ranma yelled, scurrying backwards narrowly avoiding
Anijza�s one-handed swipe.  She pulled herself up and smiled
at him.
     �I will have you, Ranma,� said Anijza, stalking him
like a Bengal Tiger across the roof.
     Terror filled Ranma�s soul.  He did not stop retreating
from her, turning around to leap across to the next roof a
fearful cry on his lips.
     �So,� said Anijza as she stood up.  �Here we go again.�
     She followed him, continuing on with the chase�

                          * * * * *

     Sliding to a stop at one of Nerima�s four-way
intersections, the gang searched their surroundings hoping
for any sign of Ranma or Anijza.  The busy streets remained
oblivious to the happenings that had befallen them, nothing
out of the ordinary that would lead them in the right
direction.
     �We should separate,� suggested Soun.
     �And let that bitch pick us off piecemeal!� replied
Ukyo.  �We only failed back at the dojo because she caught
us off guard.  This time when we find her ass, we�ll be
ready!�
     �We�d cover more ground though,� said Kasumi.
     �I for one don�t want to run into Anijza alone,�
commented Nabiki.  �I�m for staying together.�
     While the others debated their next course of action,
Akane peered up into the sky for Mousse; now in his Mandarin
Duck form.  She spotted him gliding high above the city,
moving in slow orbits across the sky searching for their
objectives.
     �We�d better follow Mousse,� she told them.  �He has
the best chance of finding them.�
     �If he can see that far down,� said Kodachi.
     Akane smirked letting the barb pass.  She grabbed hold
of Ryoga�s hand again, setting off in the direction Mousse
was going, the other following along.
     In the sky, Mousse indeed had the best view straining
with all his might through his thick glasses searching the
various streets below.  He was passing over the business
district now, close by all of the renovations and new
construction areas when a familiar mop of red hair briefly
caught his eyes.
     Squinting hard, Mousse made out Anijza running along
the street at breakneck speed.  A look in the direction she
headed found Ranma also sprinting for dear life.  He had a
good lead on the girl, but she was rapidly closed the
distance.  Ranma came out into the street across from the
very same construction zone he and Akane had narrowly
escaped death; running in place for a second then dashed
towards the wire mesh gate.
     A good tactic, Mousse knew that he�d have to hurry
before Anijza could catch up with him.  He pitched over,
winging his way back across the sky to get his friends�

                          * * * * *

     The gate guard covering the entrance to the work area
held out his hands trying to stop Ranma�s desperate charge.
�Hold up, hold up!� he cried, but Ranma never slowed,
ducking under his arms.
     �Hey! Hey you stop!� shouted the guard.  A girlish
titter from behind drew him around.
     �So he got in there, hmm?� said Anijza, walking calmly
towards the gates.
     �Yes!  I�m going have him arrested, the fool!� shouted
the guard.  He went for the phone in his shack, but Anijza
caught him by the front of the shirt.
     Her eyes never left the yard.  �Do not bother, I will
retrieve him.�
     �What?  Let go of me girl, or I�ll have you�.�
     He never finished, Anijza�s powerful fist slamming into
his chest.  The guard flew back into the shack, slumping
down unconscious onto the stool inside.  The workers around
them drew fearfully away from this strange girl.  Anijza
quietly dusted her hands clean, gazing across the
construction area.
     �This is starting to get fun,� she muttered to herself.
SRanma, your resistance is exciting me.  I will relish
breaking your spirit.  Yours will be a tale the Master will
long remember.�
     Ignoring the noise of the machinery around her, Anijza
concentrated, feeling Ranma�s presence through the din.
     �There you are,� she said, heading in after him.

                          * * * * *

     Amidst the stacks and piles of pipes, concrete blocks
and other materials, Ranma moved ever so carefully fearing
more of another encounter with Anijza than the hazard of
getting hit by some stray object.  The roar of machines was
almost deafening but he knew t would aid in his concealment.
A sharp smack of metal from behind made him jump, whiling
around thinking it was Anijza trying to sneak up on him.
     She was not there and he let out a sigh, leaning back
against a tall pile of steel rods.
     �Hey!� called a forman from up the way.  �You need to
leave before you get hurt!�
     �Yeah, and you don�t have some mystical demented bitch
on your ass trying to drag you back home to a shotgun
wedding either!� yelled Ranma.
     �I don�t need a shotgun to corral you, Ranma-chan,�
commented Anijza above the surrounding din.
     He cried out, leaping across the way and stared up at
the girl lying prone on stack.  Anijza let out with a
titter, sitting up and beamed down brightly at him humored
by his shocked expression.
     �Ranma, hiding with do nothing but delay the
inevitable.  Why won�t you just surrender so we can get
along to my home?�
     �I�m not going with you, Anijza!�
     Anijza smirked.  She stood up and planted her fist on
her hips.  �Yes you are, now stop this�.�
     �You!� cried the foreman who had just been shouting at
Ranma.  He strode angrily down the open aisle towards her,
ignoring Ranma�s desperate warnings.  �Young lady, get down
from there!  You will get hurt.  Now come down from there!�
     Another annoyance that Anijza scoffed at.  �Run along
little man,� she said waving him off, �I�m after a better
specimen of your species.�
     Fury flushed the foreman�s face, and he pointed angrily
up at her.  �Get down from there now!  Do you hear me, NOW!�
     �You dare shout at me!� snapped Anijza.
     Ranma watch in horror as Anijza made a slight flick
with her index finger sending a small globe of blue-white
light streaking towards the foreman.  It hit him in the
stomach and he cried out flung back into the base of a steal
girder.  All work immediately stopped, the workers around
them staring speechless at his crumpled form then back at
Anijza. There was a mad flurry of dust and movement as
people ran for their lives.
     Anijza�s laughter cut the now silent area.  �Oh that
was fun.  Now Ranma, shall we� huh?�
     She looked around but Ranma took the opportunity to
disappear further into the construction yard.  That
infuriated Anijza and she leaped down to the last spot he
stood at sniffing the air.  She picked up his scent,
ruminating on the pleasingly musky smell with a light
shudder.  Ah, more of this and I will be unable to control
myself, she thought.  Ranma you are driving me wild!
     Anijza howled up to the sky resuming her pursuit of
Ranma�

                          * * * * *

     Spurred on my Mousse�s frantic quacking, the gang
followed the Mandarin duck as he flew back towards the
construction zone where he last spotted Ranma.  When they
arrived there was a crowd milling about the gates, some
tending to the injured guard, others wandering lost talking
about what had just happened moments ago.  Comments about a
girl attacking one of their foreman, and of a young man
running for his life quickly told them what was going on.
     Akane could hear sirens and knew they better get in
there before Ranma was lost to Anijza.  Waiting for the
right moment in the ensuing confusion, they slipped past the
gates and scurried into the construction yard.  Mousse took
flight and the others stopped to catch their breath.
     �Now do we split up?� asked Ryoga.
     �No,� answered Akane.  �Mousse will find them and then
we all will converge and take Anijza before she knows what
hit her.�
     �I want her too know what�s hitting her,� commented
Ukyo, rolling her sleeves back ready for the upcoming fight.
     �Shampoo kick teeth down throat before crushing fingers
under heel!�
     Konatsu shuddered, eyeing them all.  �Gee, I don�t know
who�s worse.  You girls or Anijza?�
     �This girl is going to pay for what she�s done,� said
Nabiki.  �You know how much it is going to cost to fix the
house up?�
     �The only thing that matters is getting Ranma safe and
away from her,� said Akane.
     She looked up trying to spot any sign of Mousse.
Tatewaki suddenly tapped her on the shoulder, pointing up at
the duck circling overhead not to far away.  They could hear
Mousse�s quacking and knew he had found one of their
objectives.
     Konatsu led the way and they soon were sprinting across
the construction yard and through the myriad stacks of
material.  Suddenly, Mouse swooped down coming to a landing
near an open portion of the yard.  He held up a wing and
they halted.
     �Why silly blind duck getting in way?� said Shampoo.
     Mousse turned, pointing up the aisle.  A girl�s voice
called Ranma�s name from around the corner of some wood
planks, followed by the appearance of Anijza Kwong.  Her
back was to them, totally oblivious of their presence.
     �Oh do you see what I see,� said Ukyo, cracking her
knuckles with anticipation.
     Tatewaki�s bukoto slid from his sash.  �Revenge,� he
said.
     �Hoh, hoh, hoh, hoh.  I am going to enjoy ripping all
of her hair off her head,� added Kodachi.
     Akane let go of Ryoga�s hand glaring hard at her now
sworn enemy.  A sneer curled the corner of her lip, hands
flexing eager to latch around Anijza�s throat.
     �Bitch,� she growled, and set out leading the charge
towards her.
     Anijza however continued her search for Ranma.  He was
in the immediate vicinity that she was sure of, but was
doing quite a good job eluding her.  A fine catch, she
thought.  Ranma must be endowed with powers I could not even
begin to imagine.  That or he is one lucky human.
     A trampling sound came from behind and Anijza smirked
as she turned around.  She almost yelped with surprise
seeing Akane Tendo leading her friends in a dead run towards
her.  No doubt from their looks they intended to do battle.
     Very well, thought Anijza, I guess the first lesson was
not enough, and as for you Akane Tendo, I will be more than
happy to oblige.
     Anijza raised her fist ready to defend herself�

                          * * * * *

     It was happening again, the earthquake.
     Ranma stumbled to the ground knocked from his feet by a
violent rumble that shook the entire construction yard.  He
knew this was not a natural occurrence, but Anijza�s doing
and that meant she was fighting somebody.  It might be the
authorities but more than likely his friends coming to help.
After beating them once he knew they would not stand a
chance against her.
     A cloud of dust appeared above the tops of the stacks
around him.  Ranma made his way to the ensuing struggle
praying he would not be too late.  A loud series of cries
split the air then the rumbling stopped.  Choking on the
dust, Ranma covered his mouth fanning the air trying to see
what had happened.  Several shadowy forms started to
materialize out of the gloom.  He squinted his eyes and when
the dust finally settled it reviled a sight to him that made
his chest grow tight.
     The surrounding yard was a wreck with his friends
scattered about the debris like broken mannequins.  Ranma
shook upon seeing his father lying face down on the ground,
but then he look to the center of the battlefield in time to
see Akane, down on her knees grimacing with pain; Anijza
holding her up by a fist full of hair grinning in triumph.
She let her go and Akane fell forwards across Ryoga�s body,
motionless.
     �NO!� shouted Ranma.
     Anijza turned.  �Ah, Ranma.  I�ve been looking for
you,� she said cheerfully.
     Rage beat loudly through Ranma�s temples, fury so
intense his whole body tingled with energy.  He stared at
Akane�s lifeless form then up at Anijza.
     �You bitch,� seethed Ranma.
     That caught Anijza aback.  Her shoulders sagged stunned
by the insult.  �W-what did you call me?�
     Ranma started walking towards her with his fist balled
tight.  �You BITCH!� he shouted again.
     �Ranma-chan (sniff, sniff) that hurts!�
     �Not as much as the pain I�m going to make you feel
now,� he replied.
     Anijza took a hesitant step back.  �Ranma, I did not
come here to fight you.  I just want to take you home that�s
all.�
     The dark fury wore deep on Ranma�s face.  �Over my dead
body!�  Ranma stopped, stabbing an angry finger at her as he
spoke.  �You hurt Akane� you hurt my friends TWICE!  Now you
give me some doll-faced puppy-dog look and expect me to run
off with you?  No way, Anijza!  I�m not one to hit women,
but you have gone WAY above normal bounds now.�
     �Ranma, I�.�
     �Ah-uhn� you wanted me, this is the way you�re going to
get me.�
     Several construction workers and a few others appeared
around the perimeter staring in shock at the carnage.  They
started to approach but a sharp wave of a hand from Ranma
stopped them.
     In the meantime, Anijza�s innocent demeanor melted away
into one of irritation and impatience.  Her dark eyes stared
hard at Ranma, one brow arched high in annoyance.  Placing
her hands to her hips she took a commanding stance then
pointed at him.
     �Enough of this!� said Anijza, �Ranma you are forcing
me to have to hurt you.�
     Ranma took a fighting stance.  �Come on then,� he
replied.
     Anijza charged, letting out a cry, her fingers barred
ready to grab him.  He deflected her grasp taking one arm to
lever Anijza up over his head.  She sailed through the air
smashing down into a stack of pipes with a loud crash.  The
pile collapsed and Anijza thrashed about pushing them off
with no effort at all.
     �I�m not going with you, Anijza,� said Ranma.
     She stood up and walked towards him in a steady, even
pace.  �You are mine, Ranma Saotome and nothing you do will
change this fact.�
     Ranma�s surprising leap and foot to her face rocked
Anijza backwards.  Somehow she managed to stay on her feet,
hands pressed to her chin in mute pain.  An angry growl
sounded and then Anijza lunged hitting him with one shoulder
in the stomach.  Ranma cried out as a flurry of blows rained
down on his body.  He staggered, ducking low avoiding a
roundhouse kick aimed at his head.
     Damn she�s fast, he thought, dodging several more
swipes and blows.  He feinted left, catching Anijza�s arms
to knock them aside.  The resounding punch to her chin sent
the girl head over heels across the ground and she rolled to
a stop face down.  Ranma hoped she would remain that way,
but a light shift of her red hair told him otherwise.
Several of the workers let out surprised whistles not
believing this small girl could take such punishment.
     Anijza looked up at Ranma.  Her lips were bloodied,
several trickles running down her chin but the girl smiled
as she stood up.
     �A strong punch you have, Ranma-chan,� she said moving
towards him again.
     �She�s got to be on something�, Ranma said to himself.
He backed away wondering if there was anything he could do
to stop Anijza.  His punches were almost at full force, but
she appeared to be enjoying this beating.  Wouldn�t doubt
it, he mused with a grunt.  Strange girl, just strange.
     Ranma�s back pressed up against a stack of wood planks
stopping his retreat.  A threatening swipe stopped Anijza
briefly, but again she laughed stepping up close to his
body.
     �Are you ready to surrender now?� she asked.
     Ranma�s angry cry answered the question.  A right then
left cross had Anijza stumbling back; fist blurring through
the air as he pummeled her body.  Still, the girl remained
on her feet and Ranma knew this called for more drastic
measures.  Slowly, he began moving in a tight circle,
picking up speed with each turn.  The air around them began
to swirl, cool winds flicking up the dust.  Suddenly, Ranma
turned sharply towards Anijza and lashed out with a blow
cutting through the chill leaving a streak of light behind
as it approached its target.
     KAPOW!
     Anijza�s body bounced to a stop at the edge of the
gravel quarry.  She moaned actually stunned by the Dragon�s-
Fist punch, rising up on her arms trying to shake off the
effects.  Ranma was not done yet.  He concentrated; palms
held low before him, every ounce of his inner strength
focusing on the small spot between them.  A spark appeared
followed by a small globe of bright white light growing
larger by the second as he poured more of his Chi into it.
     Sweat ran in rivulets down his face, muscles bulging
tight on his body as the globe built up in his hands.
Flashes of energy crackled around him and Ranma looked at
Anijza.  She was just rising weakly to her feet when the
globe of energy hit.  Her cry split the air; the ground
shaking from the loud boom.
     Ranma shielded his face with his arms as dust and
debris filled the air obscuring his vision.  It went on for
several more seconds then everything went quiet.  As the
dust settled he could see a deep trail carved though the dry
ground towards the quarry.  All eyes followed its path, and
there atop a large pile of gray gravel lay Anijza flat on
her back like some human sacrifice on an alter.
     �Now if that wasn�t something,� commented on of the
workers around him.
     Ranma glanced around at them then dropped to one knee.
He was drained from his exertions, wanting so desperately to
just lay down himself and go to sleep.
     �Wow, that was some fight,� said another worker.  �Who
the hell was that bitch?�
     �I� I don�t know,� answered Ranma.  �But if that didn�t
stop her, then I don�t know what will.�
     Anijza�s head suddenly lifted, her eyes snapping open.
�You might try just coming home with me like you said you
would.�
     Gasps and stuttered cries of terror filled the air;
Ranma too frozen with horror at Anijza�s surprising
recovery.  He could only watch bewildered as she stood up
casually fixing her tattered clothes as if nothing mattered.
Some of the workers headed for the nearest exit and he
pulled himself to his feet ready to do the same.
     �Ah-ah-ahn�t!� shouted Anijza, waving a stern finger at
him.
     Why am I stopping, he though as Anijza continued to fix
herself.  Ranma started to go on with his steps, but again
Anijza caught him.
     �Behave,� she said sternly, stopping him in his tracks.
     With a last toss and fluff of her hair, Anijza
scampered down the pile of gravel.  Ranma gulped hard as she
walked up to him, not knowing what else he could do against
this terrifying girl.  Her lips twisted into a pout, and she
looked him over for a second.
     �You are a mess,� said Anijza.  To Ranma�s surprise she
began to straighten his shirt, brushing away the dirt. �You
are so stubborn, Ranma Saotome.  A simple request, one
simple request but no!  You want to resist me.  You would
think my example of your friends would have been enough.�
     �I don�t know who you are, Anijza, but as long as there
is still strength in my body� I�m going to fight you!�
     Anijza paused and stared up at him.  �Yes,� she said,
cut a brief glance back over her shoulder at his friends
lying about the yard.  �You do have spirit, Ranma-chan. That
I cannot eliminate.�
     �You�re damn right you can�t!� snapped Ranma.
     �The strength though will be no problem.�
     Anijza punched Ranma hard in his stomach, a blow so
hard he though he could feel her fist touch the inside if
his back.  His yell sounded dim, and then a fist to his chin
slammed him over onto his back.  A tight grip pulled the
collar of his shirt tight around his throat choking Ranma as
he was jerk from the ground.
     �I must say you are the first in several eons to
actually make me feel such pain, Ranma,� said Anijza,
drawing her fist back behind her head.
     Rock hard knuckles slammed repeatedly into his face
beating him into a dazed stupor.  A knee to the midsection
doubled Ranma over, followed by a sharp backhand which sent
him slamming into a concrete support with a cry of pain.
     Anijza stood over him.  �Don�t get me wrong, Ranma-
chan.  You know I still love you,� she said reaching down to
pick him up.
     �Yeah (Ooo), yeah this is some way of showing it�urk!�
     The blows to the face continued, Ranma�s head bouncing
back and forth like an overturned speedbag.  Anijza slung
him out into the middle of the area, turning him over and
continued his beating.
     �I just don�t (punch!) see what you (punch) see in her
(punch, punch)?�
     �(Ow!) Who?�
     A firm lift over her head slammed Ranma face down to
the ground.  Anijza took a hand full of hair and pulled his
head back.
     �Her!� she shouted, pointing at Akane�s inert form.
�She�s weak, she�s stupid, she�s, she�s, she�s not the woman
that I can be for you!�
     �You both have a mean right.  There�s something you
have in common.�
     Anijza continued her pull until Ranma was held upright
on his knees.  There was no resistance left in him.  He was
a bloody mess, but gently Anijza cupped his face in her
hands and leaned close.
     �I will take care of you, Ranma Saotome.  I will make
you a powerful man, so powerful not even the other deities
would dare to challenge you.�
     Deities, wondered Ranma?  His senses were failing; pain
wracking through his body, but the defiance so natural to
the Saotome blood remained in him.  He reached slowly up
taking Anijza by each wrist and pulled her hands away.
     �I will� never� go with you� Anijza,� he told her
weakly.  His shoulders sagged, head tipping forward.
��never..� he muttered again.
     Anijza caught him before he could fall, staring
lovingly into his battered face.  She smiled, brushing his
hair aside.  �You have no choice, my darling,� she whispered
lightly into one ear.
     Suddenly, a moan came from behind them.  Anijza turned
to see Ryoga slowly regaining consciousness.  He tried to
sit up, but felt the weight of Akane�s body lying across his
chest and stopped.  A firm shake made Akane murmur something
incoherent, and then slowly her eyes opened.
     �Yes, this will be such a fitting way to depart this
miserable plain,� said Anijza.
     She held Ranma up by the scruff of his shirt pushing
his head to one side and placed her palm against his exposed
neck.
     �Look upon me, Akane Tendo,� called Anijza.
     Akane�s eyes drifted to them, focusing slowly.  It
registered who it was Anijza held in her evil grasp, and she
let out with a desperate moan.  Ryoga also looked back and
sneered.
     �Let him go you bitch!� he snarled, fighting to sit up.
     Anijza laughed.  �Stare upon Ranma Saotome one last
time, Akane!  I have him and I am taking him to where you
will never be able to follow.�
     Akane and Ryoga leaned against each other and together
came up on their knees.  Their efforts humored Anijza;
gloating over the desperate look Akane gave them.
     �Ranma!� Akane called out.
     �Ha, ha, ha, ha!  Your pain is my victory, Akane Tendo!
I have won and now I am claiming my prize!�
     Searing pain burned sharply though Ranma�s neck.  His
breath cut short as Anijza�s fingers pressed their way into
his flesh.  The snap of sinew and cartilage echoed his pain;
Ranma jerking with no success to escape Anijza�s torturous
meld.  A long last cry pierced the sky.
     �AHHH! HELP ME� SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME!�
     Akane tried to stand but her legs would not support
her.  She could do nothing but watch with Ryoga in helpless
fright as a circle of flame rose up high around Anijza and
Ranma.
     �Ranma!� she cried, hot tears stinging her cheeks.
     Anijza allowed Akane one more last long look.  �It is
time to leave,� she finally said.
     The sheets of flames bloomed over them, matching the
glow in Anijza�s eyes.  Ranma moaned again barely visible
through the fire.
     �AKANE!  RYOGA!  HELP ME!  SOMEBODY, SOMEBODY PLEASE
HELP ME!�
     The heat was becoming unbearable, Ryoga and Akane
shielding their faces with their arms.
     �NGAHH!  IT HURTS, AHHH I�M BURNING!  PLEASE SOMEBODY
HELP ME!  HELP ME!  HELP ME� ME� ME� Me� Me� me� me� me� me�
m�.�
     It was the last thing Akane and Ryoga heard Ranma say
as a pillar of fire rose up one last time collapsing in a
thick rolling puff of dark gray smoke.  Stunned silence
followed and as the smoke and ashy residue cleared, Akane
drew in a gasp.
     A dark stain scorched the earth, bits of smoldering
debris on the ground.  Anijza was gone and she had taken
Ranma with her�

                          * * * * *

     Evening set, a sad and mournful mood filling the Tendo
Dojo.  In the living room sat the survivors of the battle;
Doctor Tofu to the injuries they sustained.  Their thoughts
lingered on Ranma, where he was and what Anijza was doing to
him.
     At the table Cologne listening close as they recounted
the week�s happenings.  When they were done, she hummed
lightly shaking her head.
     �Damn it,� muttered Cologne, slamming her fist down.
�If only I had been quicker.  This never would have
happened.�
     �Don�t blame yourself, Cologne,� said Happosai, still
bound tightly to her staff in one corner of the room.
     �If your demented self had not fought me all the way, I
might have been!� snapped Cologne.  The old sage�s fury
scared them, and an unsettling quiet followed.
     Ukyo sat up from the mat she laid on, nursing the wrap
around her ribs.  �Its too late for hindsight,� she said,
�What we need to be thinking about now is finding Ranma and
getting him back.�
     �Yes,� said Akane.  They all could see the emotional
pain in Akane, trying as best they could to alleviate her
fears.  Nothing but the safe return of Ranma would solve
that.
     Genma limped over and sat down next to Akane.  She
looked up at him then rested her head against his chest.  A
tear ran down her cheek, Genma gently wiping it away.
�There, there, Akane.  We will find Ranma.�
     �I don�t know, Mister Saotome,� said Mousse.  �Korea is
not exactly a small country.�
     �It is two to be exact,� added Kodachi, her forehead
wrapped in bandages.
     Konatsu sat up next to Ukyo.  �Korea?� he said.  �You
should think again.�
     �Where else could that bitch take him?� asked Nabiki.
     Ryoga spoke up.  �Not Korea!  That smoke and mirrors
show Anijza pulled today tells me they went further inland.�
     �Further inland?� questioned Soun.
     �Yeah.  A show like that could only come from China.�
     Shampoo laughed, cut short as the pain from her
injuries caught up to her.  �You silly, lost boy,� she said.
�And it not matter where Evil Girl take my husband.  I get
him back and break girl into small bits!�
     �Like today?� said Cologne.
     They all went silent again.
     �Look, no matter where on Earth Ranma is, we need to
find and get him back!� said Ryoga.
     �Yeah, as much as I hate to admit it,� added Mousse.
�Ranma would do the same for anyone of us.�
     �He is to be my heir,� declared Soun.  �We must find
Ranma!�
     Nabiki leaned back in her chair eyeing her father.
�And where to start, eh, daddy?�
     �It doesn�t matter!� snapped Ukyo.  �I want Ranma, and
I intend to get him back!�
     Akane�s belabored crying caught their attention.  The
renewed feeling of remorse only heightened the anger
building inside them.
     �Don�t worry, Akane,� said Ryoga.  �Ranma is as good as
found!�
     �I cannot see my Fair Akane in such tears,� Tatewaki
said.  He drew his hastily mended training sword and held it
up high.  �I swear by the House of Kuno, Ranma Saotome will
be returned!�
     �It might not be as simple as that, kids,� Cologne
said.
     �We can�t just give up,� countered Kasumi.
     Akane pulled away from Genma and gazed around.  �You
guys are such good friends,� she told them.
     �As it is said, �what are friends for?�� said Konatsu.
     �Our only problem now is a starting place,� continued
Akane.
     Again, silence prevailed as the odds drew up against
them.
     From the corner, Happosai suddenly spoke in a warbled
voice.  �She took him to Hell,� said his demonic spirit.
     Ryoga clasped his hands together.  �Well, I�m gonna
miss that stubborn fool.�
     A long cry came from Genma.  �Oh my poor son!  He will
be remembered in my prayers daily,� he said, cupping his
hands to his face.
     �Looks like your �demon� theory has come true,
Konatsu,� Kodachi said.
     �Unfortunate,� he replied sadly.
     Tatewaki�s bokuto slid back into the folds of his sash.
�I suppose I can donate something for a memorial to Ranma.�
     Akane�s palms suddenly slammed down on the table
startling them all.  She glared at them eyes wide and her
mouth open; rising up to her feet.  �I just cannot believe
what I�m hearing!� she said to them.  �Ranma would not
abandon anyone of you no matter what the situation, and hear
you all are literally� writing him off as gone!�
     �You did hear where Happosai just said Ranma had been
taken?� asked Ukyo.
     �So!�
     �So?� exclaimed Mousse.  He looked fearfully up at the
ceiling with a shrug.  �Akane.  Ranma is in Hell.  You know,
Hell like in nine times?�
     �Bad place.  Even Shampoo want to avoid it.�
     Akane sneered at them; her so-called friends were
backing out of rescuing Ranma faster than fleas leaving a
dead rat.  There lay some truth, a genuine fear about the
dark netherworlds but no way would she leave Ranma at the
mercies of Anijza twisted intentions.
     �NO!� she yelled.
     �Akane, please�,� said Soun, attempting to settle his
youngest daughter.
     �Daddy, I cannot allow Anijza to win this thing!  She
has my fianc� and who knows what she is going to do to him!�
     �Sounded like she wanted to sire his children,� said
Nabiki, gaining a sharp glare from Akane.
     �The Hells are not something to be taken lightly,
Akane,� said Cologne.  �Dark Forces live there.  Forces we
as mere mortals are not meant to see.�
     �Please, little sister, please don�t do anything rash,�
pleaded Kasumi.
     Akane could only give her elder sister a sad gaze.  �I
have to,� she replied, and then looked around at the other
with a hard stare.  �Ranma is gone, and I do not care if
he�s at the bottom levels of Hell, I�m going to get him
back.  Do you all hear me?�
     In her fury, Akane brought a fist crashing down on the
table, breaking it in two.  They stared at the raging girl
shocked into silence by her action.
     �I swear I will get Ranma back,� she continued, �and
I�ll do it with or without your help!�
     Akane backed away reaching around and pushed the torn
patio door aside in a huff.  She stormed out, taking a seat
at the edge of the deck and stared out into the night.  The
others, who gathered around behind her exchanged humiliated
looks amongst themselves.  Ryoga came out and sat down
beside Akane.  He could see tears running down her face,
forcing back sobs as she looked up into the sky.
     �Akane,� he said, taking a hand in his.  �Listen, maybe
we are acting selfish about helping Ranma, but you have to
admit Nine Hells is no place to be walking around in.�
     �It doesn�t m-matter,� she replied.
     Ryoga looked back at Ukyo; who gave him an innocent
shrug.  �Okay.  We all want him back, but there is still one
major problem to face.�
     Akane turned to him, frowning.  �What is that?�
     He swallowed lightly, gripping her hand tighter.  �How
are you going to get down there?�
     She had no answer; drawing back in sudden realization.
Akane pulled away from Ryoga and stood up.  She gazed at the
sympathetic looks from the rest of the group and then
crossed her arms across her chest, staring at the ground.
     �I will find a way,� she sadly said, walking over to
the corner post.  Akane leaned up against it thinking about
what she had just said.  Her eye drifted back up to the
night sky, and Akane let out a long sigh.
     �You hear me, Ranma Saotome,� she said softly, �I�ll
find a way.  I promise��



                       To Be Continued



             .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
             | Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
             | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
             |     Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject     |
             `---- http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt -----'